Hello, dears! We've got a little love to deliver, so let's get started! darkestlight96, thank you as always, dear! Rai Rai Blue, glad you enjoyed, english muffin! KatyBirthdai, eh I'll fix the boxcars later. I'm lazy as fuck! I actually like reviews left in that manner, so thank you! Ambiguous Cake, yay, glad you're reading that one too! I can't respond to those reviews because it's not on my account, but you can always read on ao3 as well! I CAN respond to those! shippingSeer, thank you for reading and reviewing! I always look forward to them! Now, it's time to end this little story! Thanks to everyone who has followed Jake's journey. It really does mean so much to me that so many of you enjoyed it. I hope you'll like this one too! On with the final chapter of "Moving Heaven and Earth"
Travelling Man
It's a little funny, she thinks, that the entire ceremony goes off without a hitch. After all they'd been through together, she was expecting at least one major crisis. Maybe another demon battle, or one of their dresses falling open. In her case, that'd be an extreme show-stopping event, as she's not wearing panties. Or a bra. Beauty of long dresses.
As for Jane, she looks lovely as always. Neither of them could decide who got to wear the veil, so naturally they're both wearing one. It made the whole, you may kiss the bride thing a little confusing, too many hands in one space kind of thing, but they accomplished it, and they had their magical fucking kiss, and it was glorious.
Roxy's mom is in the crowd looking extremely pleased with herself. She did kind of decorate this entire event. Her new girlfriend, Kanaya, hand-made both Roxy and Jane's dresses in under a month, refusing to even entertain the idea of them wearing anything other than the perfect dresses.
So now here they all are, at the reception, and Jane's hands are on her hips, and life is perfect But there is one small detail.
Dirk and Jake still haven't arrived.
"You sure you sent the invites?" Roxy whispers as she twirls Jane around. Neither of them wear heels very much, so they're both a little wobbly in their movements, and Jane almost topples mid-turn.
"I didn't know where to send it to! You know they're traveling! And this was all such a last-minute plan—I do hope they received my message! I sent it to Hal after Jake's phone got cut off!" Jane says as she saves both of them from falling.
"Bet you a grand he forgot to pay his bill," Roxy grins. "He forgets everything."
"Yes, but Dirk would have paid his bill if it was that important. I'm sure they're just so busy with everything else they're doing. It was a lot to ask them to make it this far."
"Excuse me," Roxy's mother, Rose, interjects, walking over like a celebrity on her fancy shoes. Roxy glares at the way she's able to walk in those things like they're not death traps. "I've noticed the two of you are having issues with the heels. Kanaya brought some flats if you would prefer those instead."
"Yes, please!" Jane smiles, already taking her heels off and moving to Kanaya's side. Roxy looks at her mom and shares a soft smile.
"You look beautiful," Rose says. "Definitely my child."
"Yeah, well the lesbo apple doesn't fall far from the lesbo tree," Roxy smirks. "How long have you and the tall model lady been dating, now?"
"Oh, who even counts these days," Rose sighs. "We've known each other for years. The dating thing is more recent. But our romance has been brewing since the day we met, so I'm a little fuzzy as to exactly how long it's been."
"So in other words you two just recently got serious, but have been fooling around for years."
"Yes, that's precisely it."
"Sweet."
Kanaya walks over to them, a divine goddess on her clicking heels, and she smiles as she hands Roxy a pair of pink flats. Roxy grins back and takes them, handing her the heels.
"Ahhhh, yes, mama's back on the ground," Roxy says happily. "Those devil shoes were cutting off my foot circulation."
"They can be a tad hard to walk in," Kanaya nods sagely. "It just requires practice."
"There's nothing you can ever say that will convince me you think those things are comfy," Roxy says.
"I never said comfortable," Kanaya says. "But one must suffer for the sake of fashion sometimes. Nevertheless, I always carry spare flats for such occasions. Even fashion isn't worth a blister on your wedding night."
"Goddamn right," Roxy nods.
She and Jane dance a little longer, mingle with a few guests, and are about to get some more cake when the large double doors of the church Rose and Kanaya pimped out burst open, and a very haggard looking Jake English comes rushing in, Dirk in tow.
"I am so sorry!" Jake exclaims, rushing toward them while simultaneously fixing his tie and tucking in his green undershirt. He trips over his own feet, and Dirk straightens him up with a smirk. "We got caught at the airport for this dastardly blizzard and we got your message late because Hal didn't stop harassing my glasses long enough to relay it to us—and golly but you two look beautiful!"
Roxy laughs and runs forward to hug both of them before she helps Jake with his tie.
"Lookin' sharp," she comments. "Both of you. But Di-Stri looks a little more put together."
"Yes, well, he's going for that 'polished' look," Jake huffs. "I am trying to...what is it? Keep it real."
They all snort at that, because Jake trying to use any slang that's not from the 1920's is always hilarious.
"What's this about Hal and your glasses, Jake?" Jane asks curiously, giving him a tight hug of her own.
Even now, Roxy can't help but smile at how far Jane's come. Ever since their otherworldly adventures a few years ago, she's so open-minded and willing to listen to every explanation without bias. When they learned Dirk's personality was duplicated in his sunglasses but wanted to be treated as his own person by the name of 'Hal', Jane immediately called him his requested name, and has done so ever since. Both she and Roxy message Hal often, because it's the best way to get in touch with Dirk, and Roxy has learned Hal is the one to send her smut fics to because he is the best beta reader ever.
Jake sighs at the question. "Well...after our Prospit adventures Hal brought it to my attention that he was...well, you know, since he is technically Dirk even if he's not really Dirk..."
"AR is in love with Jake," Dirk supplies helpfully. "It's not that hard to figure out."
"Yes, that," Jake murmurs with a blush. "But it's not as though—I mean, he's glasses, so...what was I supposed to do about it! He kept requesting to..." Jake blushes harder and looks away and Dirk grins and puts an arm around him.
"He wanted Jake to cyber with him. Which was a valid request, but I wasn't having it," Dirk says.
"But I felt bad! Hal was all alone in those silly shades and he was very obvious about his desires, so I requested my own personality to be duplicated into my glasses." Jake points to his thick rimmed spectacles. "So now Hal has a Jake of his own!"
"Oh, that's so thoughtful, Jake!" Jane says with a smile, clapping her hands. "He was always talking about you whenever we had the chance to chat. The love thing was obvious."
"Well, he's me," Dirk says flatly, as if he can't understand why everyone speaks of Hal like he's another person.
"So you've got your own Hal now?" Roxy asks, looking closely at Jake's glasses. They look the same, but then again, they lived with Dirk for months and never knew there was anything special about his shades.
"Yes, but it's a much bigger hassle than I thought it would be. All he ever wants to do is—stuff with Hal, so my messages get delivered to me when he sees fit to tell me I have them! I let my phone go after all my mail could go to him, but he's frigging useless!"
His glasses flash bright green, and he scowls at them. Roxy grins happily.
"So we've been talking to another you and didn't even know it?"
"Oh, no. He's quite new. I've only had him for about two months now. Like I said, he doesn't really respond to my messages, he just is there."
"So does other you have his own name as well?" Jane asks curiously.
"Yes and no. He's still Jake, but not like me Jake," Jake says. "He wants to be called Jake Sully. Which is stupid."
"You love that stupid movie," Dirk says fondly.
"Yes, but he makes me hate it!" Jake groans. His glasses flash again and he flicks them.
"I tried to tell you, baby." Dirk shakes his head. "And you always thought I was too hard on AR."
"But enough about our robot woes!" Jake exclaims almost manically, and Roxy can't help but wonder how long it's been since the guy has slept. "You two are married! And we missed the whole thing! I do hope you can forgive us."
"Nah man, it was short notice," Roxy says absently. "We weren't even gonna have a ceremony like this but my mom had to go and commandeer the whole thing. Her and her designer girlfriend made all this in a month. Where were you guys anyway?"
"We were in Argentina!" Jake says happily. "We were gearing up to travel to the border and climb Mount Fitz Roy but then Dirk finally got the message and we came back!"
"Isn't that extremely...dangerous?" Jane asks.
Jake says 'no' at the exact time Dirk says 'yes' and they give each other incredulous looks.
"Dude, practically everyone you talked to told you not to climb it," Dirk says. "You've got the balance of a spinning top."
"You would be with me! It's not as though it won't be a cakewalk for you!" Jake argues.
"So you just expect me to babysit you the entire time."
"I don't expect it, I just know you will regardless of what I say!"
"Damn right I will. If it were up to you you'd just walk right off the mountain expecting to live."
"I would not!" Jake says, scandalized. "I know the basics! I grew up with a mountain, I'll have you know! And I only fell off of it once!"
"Isn't that the time you busted your head open?" Roxy asks.
"Explains a lot," Dirk mumbles, and Jake smacks him.
"Anyways, we're staying in town for a few days to spend time with you two! Ah—after the honeymoon, of course. Where will the two of you be going?" Jake asks.
"Oh, you know. We're just gonna go back with Mom and Kanaya to New York for a few days. See the sights. Janey's never been, so it'll be great to see her reactions to the tourist life," Roxy shrugs. "We'll be back in four days. You guys can stay in the apartment though, unless you'd rather get a hotel room."
"We'll be glad to sleep in our old bed!" Jake smiles. "It's been so long."
The two of them have been traveling for the past year. They've been good about staying in touch, but Roxy always found herself going toward their old room and stopping when she realized they weren't there. They're just a permanent part of her life, and she's so glad they're home. With another wide smile, she hugs both of them, enjoying Jake's laughter.
"I missed you too, Roxy," he says.
"You gonna talk all night lookin' fine as hell in that suit, or are we gonna drop it low, English?" she challenges.
"You know how I feel about 'dropping it low'," Jake says disapprovingly.
"Which is a load of bull 'cause we both know you're damn good at it," she grins.
"I for one have never seen it," Dirk says. "And I think you should remedy that. As your mate, I have rights."
"You just insulted my intelligence less than a minute ago," Jake huffs. "Be glad I'm speaking to you at all!"
Roxy drags him to the dance floor and lets him try to lead her in a slow dance. He only steps on her once, which she thinks is a major accomplishment.
"So how're things, jungle boy?" she asks quietly, tilting her head on his shoulder.
"Very, very good," he replies. "I'd ask how things were with you, but you're newly married, so I'm assuming they're well."
"They are," she smiles. "I'm—we're so happy. I never thought it'd be like this. I mean, there's still problems of course, 'cause you really can't live together and not argue. But I look at her and I can tell she's happy. She's happy with me. And I used to wonder all the time if anyone ever really could be. So it's...it's nice."
"I understand," he says. "You've come a long way. Both of you! And I am so, so happy for you."
"Thanks, boy wonder." She kisses his cheek, and then nuzzles right back into his shoulder. "When do you think y'all will be home to stay?"
"Oh, who can say?" he tries to twirl her, but she firmly refuses to move, so he gives that up. "We've still got so much to see! I've always wanted to travel the world. But at the same time, it's not all I built it up to be. Meeting new people is always a wonderful experience, but at the same time, sometimes I just want to be with you and Jane. It's a conundrum. I think it's best to keep pressing forward though. That way, when I've seen all I want to see, I can be here to stay."
"You know who you're like?" Roxy asks.
"Who?"
"Frodo Baggins. You're all, 'I can't go home again'."
"It's not quite like that. He'd only been in one place his entire life, and couldn't bear to stay in The Shire. I suppose the island is my Shire. I can't stay there. I can't even entertain the idea yet. I've not been there once since we left, and even now, it's too much to think about. What made it home is gone now."
"You don't have to go back, Jake."
"I know I don't have to. But I should probably go and gather some of the things Gramma left me. And she'd like it if I watered her garden for old time's sake. Goodness but it's been so long. I'm sure the plants have overrun the entire island!" This time, he twirls her, and she allows it because it's cute to let Jake think he's in control.
"You know what? When and if you do decide to go, you should take me and Janey! We've always wanted to see your island! And with us and Di-Stri there, you're less likely to have time to get sad."
"You're right! The two of you will have to come along. You no longer have a choice!"
"Aww yissss, tropical vacation on the horizon!"
She looks over and sees Jane dancing with Dirk, and she smiles happily. It's so good to have everyone in the same room! She still needs to introduce Dirk and Jake to her mom and Kanaya before the night is over with. And she's not looking forward to the airport later on. It's going to be so packed and she hates airports. But at least Jake's shoulder is nice and comfy for now.
"Excuse me, Miss Married Lady, but I think you owe me a big hug since you're leaving me all week!" A very familiar voice says, and Roxy turns to see Latula standing beside them. She smiles and hugs her tightly.
"We'll be back super soon, don't even act like you won't enjoy the peace and quiet!" Roxy laughs.
"Don't act like you know how I feel. Maybe I'll be on the floor totes missing your face, you don't know," Latula says wistfully. "How do I live without you!"
"Chill out, Leann Rimes. Lemme introduce you to my bestest friend ever. Latula, this is Jake English. Jake, this is my boss, Latula." Roxy steps back and lets the two shake hands, aware of the fact that Jake is the only one besides Jane she's really shared her concerns about Latula with. Of course, things are way different now than they were back then. Latula is extremely happy, and it's written all over her face.
"I know all about you!" Jake grins. "Roxy's told me great things. Of course she's also said she deserves a raise."
"I do," Roxy says. "It's super true."
"I already made you a manager! What more do you want from me, girl?!" Latula feigns distress, and then she looks to her left. "Tuna's way feeling this music, aren't you, babe?"
"It has a n-nice ring to it," Mituna says softly. His eyes are trained on Jake, and Roxy can't help but wonder if he knows him.
Mituna Captor is a miracle on wheels as far as Roxy is concerned. His brain activity went from unresponsive to responsive overnight. He has trouble with some memories, and faces are an issue with him. He gets a little upset when he can't remember people and things right away, but he's getting much better at it. He's taken to hanging out at the store with her and Latula, and every day he gets better. He's still in speech therapy to try and fix his stutter, and it's estimated in less than a year or so his muscles should be well enough where he might be able to walk again. Roxy hasn't seen him focus so much in a long time, but he's staring Jake down unrelentingly, a puzzled expression on his face.
Latula notices it, too.
"You okay, babe?" she asks him, kneeling down a little. He nods, but doesn't stop staring at Jake. Roxy looks between them curiously. Jake looks uncomfortable.
"Do you guys know each other?" Roxy asks, wondering why Jake wouldn't have mentioned that to her when she told him about Mituna's accident.
"Nope," Jake says. "I know of him, naturally. It's very nice to meet you," he says good-naturedly, holding his hand out for Mituna to shake. Mituna stares at his hand contemplatively before he grabs it. He doesn't shake it.
"Would y-you like to da-dance?" Mituna asks him. Jake blinks at him, surprised, turning to Latula.
"Erm—would that be...?"
"It's fine, silly," she grins. "It's good for him to try and be on his feet a little every day. Don't overdo it, Tuna."
Jake helps him to his feet, and very clumsily leads him in a wobbly dance. Both of them are equally horrible, and Jake doesn't have an excuse. Roxy laughs into her fist as she watches them, and a glance tells her Latula is enjoying it as much as she is.
"Tuna normally doesn't take to people like that! It's a little strange," she says.
"Jake's a one of a kind dude," Roxy replies. "Everyone loves him."
They laugh as Mituna twirls Jake, the two of them giggling like children as they fall all over the place. Jake helps him back over, cheeks flushed from the activity.
"You're a great dancer, mate!" he says. "Really kept me on my toes."
"Heh, it d-doesn't seem hard t-to dance better t-than you," Mituna snickers, and Jake huffs. Mituna looks at his chair for a moment, and then back at Jake. They're all shocked when Mituna tugs him into a tight hug.
"Thank you," Mituna says so softly Roxy almost doesn't hear him. "Thank you so much."
"For what?" Jake asks confusedly, hugging him back and giving Roxy a bewildered stare.
"I d-don't know," Mituna replies. "I j-just feel like...I have t-to thank you... Like y-you did something."
Jake's expression softens, and Roxy immediately wonders if he did do something he never mentioned.
"You're quite welcome then," he says. "But thanks isn't necessary. I'm just extremely happy to see you so well. We've never met, but Roxy was quite worried for you." He smiles happily and helps Mituna back into his chair, and Roxy knows he did something. "Now then, I do believe there's some cake with my name on it!"
Roxy hugs both Latula and Mituna again, and then follows Jake to the wedding cake. Sebastian is in charge of dishing the cake out to guests, and he excitedly cuts a huge piece for Jake while shooting those silly hearts at him.
"What'd you do?" she asks suspiciously. "Mituna having a miraculous recovery—was that you?"
"Of course not, Roxy," Jake says matter-of-factly. "I'm no miracle worker."
"You're a wizard! And you saved the universe! Who knows what you can do!"
He winks at her and forks some cake into his mouth. "Dunno what you mean," he says. "You helped save the universe, too."
She wants to interrogate him further, but Dirk and Jane show up at that moment. Jake offers Dirk a bite of cake.
"Saw you dancin' with another dude," Dirk grins, nudging him after eating the cake. "Should I be jealous?"
"So jealous," Jake says, getting Sebastian to cut Dirk his own slice. He boops some frosting on Dirk's nose.
"My poor maiden heart," Dirk sighs. "It can't take this abuse."
They spend all night talking and catching up, and Roxy finds she actually wants to travel with them someday, as fun as they make it sound. And when the time comes to leave, she doesn't want to part ways with them even if she knows she'll have a great time in New York.
"We'll be here when you return!" Jake says as they stand outside. He's shivering so badly he can barely speak.
"Alright, you two go home and get warm!" Jane laughs. "We'll be back in four days!"
Roxy settles in the backseat with Jane, looking back out at Dirk and Jake, who wave them off. Her heart clenches.
"I'll be so glad when they move back," she says softly. Jane holds her hand.
"They'll be coming back to stay soon enough, I'm sure of it!You know how Jake is. All curious puppies find their way home eventually."
"Yeah," Roxy agrees. She leans into Jane, and prepares to enjoy the rest of her honeymoon.
"How do people function in such weather!" Jake cries, settling under two blankets and clinging to Dirk. The apartment was frozen when they arrived, since Roxy and Jane weren't expecting anyone to be home for the next few days.
"And you want to climb Mount Everest," Dirk chuckles. "You'll be frozen before you take three steps."
"Yes, I think we need to keep our travels to warm places," Jake agrees. "Let's stick with places I can wear shorts."
"That's a great idea," Dirk nods. "But if it's colder, I can keep you warm."
"Heh. I know you can." Jake says, pulling him closer. He settles underneath Dirk's weight and willingly parts his lips for Dirk's tongue, gasping when Dirk presses their hips together.
"Nothing like doin' this in our own bed," Dirk breathes, moving to his ear. "Tents are only so nice."
"I l-love camping," Jake informs him, trying to control his voice. "The stars have been...wonderful..."
"Mmmm..." Dirk grunts, undoing their dress pants. "Look so good in a suit, baby. But you always look good long as you're underneath me..."
"I can top!" Jake huffs defensively, bristling at Dirk's laughter.
"Of course you can," Dirk says. "It's not like you haven't before. But you prefer to bottom. Know what that makes you?"
"Dirk, I swear to all that's holy in this world, I will rip your dick off—"
"Makes you a pillow princess."
Jake tries to push him off but gives up when Dirk grinds into him just right. He'll kill him afterward, he decides.
It is nicer in their own bed, he thinks. They've been to so many places and slept in so many different beds, but it was never like this. The feeling of Dirk groaning in his ear, pressing his legs apart and sliding inside—they're the same but they're amplified. He cries out as Dirk picks up his pace, working him toward release in the best way possible.
When Dirk flops on top of him and kisses him all over, he decides it's too much work to get him back for being a prick. He'll do it later, if he remembers.
"It feels so good to be back," Jake says quietly, enjoying how warm both of them are now under the covers.
"Mmm. It does." Dirk hugs him closer. "We should stick around for a while."
"We should," Jake says sleepily.
And they do. Once Jane and Roxy return from their honeymoon, they stay as well. Jake doesn't feel the need to travel anywhere for a long while, not after they worked so hard to get home.
Jake finally accepts Aranea's offer to work at the bookstore, and he quickly becomes the co-owner, watching over the store while she attends to affairs in Derse with Meenah. She constantly moves back and forth between the dimensions, refusing to relinquish control of her store out of pure stubbornness, and Jake's happy to help her maintain it any way he can. He still gets a little antsy in crowds, and he supposes he always will to some extent, but he's able to work through it most days. When he can't, Dirk is never too busy to come to the store and help him out while he goes to the back to catch his breath.
Roxy begins writing smutty romance novels, which quickly become popular on the website Dirk helps her design. She eventually strikes a deal with a publisher, and the silly novels gain quite a following. Dirk draws the book covers for her, which are equally as confusing as the plot of the stories themselves, and Jake is never able to figure out if the books are supposed to be serious. He decides it's best not to ask.
After a few of the novels sell well, Roxy comes to Dirk and Jake to ask for a favor, which they immediately agree to. They scout out the perfect location and pay to have an older building remodeled and fitted with the latest equipment, finally unveiling it to Jane after weeks of keeping it a secret from her. Her dream of having her own bakery accomplished, she actually faints from excitement, and Sebastian spends the rest of the day hovering over her worriedly if she so much as coughs.
And Dirk, Dirk does a little of everything. He builds small, useful gadgets for people, selling them at outrageously low prices since he doesn't really need the money. He draws for Roxy's stories, but he also draws outrageously dirty pictures he posts online just to see who will have the nerve to ask things like "why are there extra arms" and "what the actual fuck". He also likes to print them out and leave them in random places in the apartment, seeming to enjoy when Jake finds them because Jake never quite knows how to react.
Aranea keeps Jake informed on all the new happenings in Derse and Prospit since he doesn't have a dream self anymore. When he sleeps, he finally has actual dreams, and he's actually very glad for that, but he does find himself missing the golden buildings of Prospit. Aranea informs him that Meenah and Feferi have finally worked out their many differences, and have decided the best way to stop another threat like Caliborn is to work together. Both kingdoms report to each other for safety concerns, but Jake can always tell Meenah isn't thrilled about it. Especially because Feferi refuses to call her by her new title, 'The Condesce'.
When he nervously asks about Peregrine, he's pleasantly surprised to learn she was rewarded with the highest honor a Prospitian can have. She's a real angel now, and she works directly for Queen Feferi. Though it's thought she still likes to sneak out just to deliver mail before the new postman can.
After a few years, Jake is ready to travel again. The next trip they take, they take with Jane and Roxy. Jake manages to find them a flight to his island, and he spends a few days showing them around, pointing out little landmarks that are weathered from the passage of time, but still recognizable. His grandmother's garden is out of control, but he doesn't dare to touch it. It isn't his to maintain, and he rather likes the wildness of it. He decides not to take any of the belongings in the house with him. He thinks it's best not to mix two separate homes. They stand on the sand and watch the sunset and it's as beautiful as he remembers, somehow better with his friends beside him. Dirk tells him he's proud of him for finally making the trip, and Jake sniffles but refuses to cry. He's too happy for that, he decides.
John keeps in touch throughout the years, though he has no real reason to with Caliborn defeated. He and Jake discuss many things when his stupid auto-responder lets him reply. Jake still studies his magic and it's nice to have John to help him with it when John isn't trying to prank him, but those times are so rare that Jake learns to accept John's useless hijinks. He's had plenty of time to get used to them, living with Jane and all.
When Jane and Roxy announce they're ready for children, Dirk and Jake move out, getting their own place just a few blocks down and giving them more space and privacy. They throw Jane a baby shower, though neither of them know much of anything about those things, so in reality they ask for Latula's assistance, who gave birth to her own son three years before. The shower goes off without a hitch, thankfully. Mituna laughs forever when Jake is confused by the breast-pump, and Dirk helps his mortified mate hide his face for a good portion of the gathering.
When Calliope is born, Roxy and Jane ask Jake and Dirk to be the godparents. They stay close, offering to babysit when it looks like the girls are ready to keel over from exhaustion, and Calliope quickly becomes one of Jake's favorite people. She loves to draw with Dirk, and he quickly gets her hooked on My Little Pony, and Jake likes to play adventurer with her. They spend as much time with their goddaughter as they can, but they never have children of their own. Jake loves Calliope with all his heart, and he thinks the world will be much safer for her if the last of his bloodline dies with him. Any magic-users in existence will always be targeted, and he won't be responsible for any children he might have always being targeted. Dirk decided a long time ago he never wanted kids anyway, and he tells Jake, many times, one of the greatest things about Calliope is that when she's throwing a fit, they can always give her back to Jane and Roxy.
For a long, long time, things are perfect, peace in Derse and Prospit, and no otherworldly incidents on Earth. Jake basks in the life they've created, and he watches Calliope grow up, enjoying the world they saved all those years ago. She goes off to college, still staying close to home, and she goes to medical school to become a doctor. By the time she graduates, she's already got a residency at a reputable hospital, and none of them could be prouder.
When Jane gets sick, Jake can't bear to leave her side. Her mother died from it, she tells him with a smile, and she holds his hands while he cries for her. She's lived a long life, she says! And it was happy and full because of all of them. When she passes, Dirk and Roxy handle the funeral arrangements, and Calliope delivers the eulogy. Jake can't bring himself to do it. Even after all he's accomplished, he still can't handle talking in front of people. Roxy tells him it's alright. She can't do it either.
Roxy lives the remainder of her life to the fullest, moving in with Calliope and her husband in their big house. She tags along on a trip to one of Jake's favorite beaches, and she enjoys a martini at sunset with Dirk, laughing all the while and getting teary eyed when she says Jane would kill her for the drink. She dies a month later of old age, but Jake thinks it was more out of a need to be reunited with Jane. At her funeral, he does speak, only bursting into tears once. They bury her beside Jane, and every spring, the flowers bloom around their tombstones.
Jake and Dirk resume their travels, going to the places they stopped short of visiting when they were younger. They climb mountains, meet new people, and view sights Jake never thought he'd be able to see. They leave all their belongings to Calliope, including their auto-responders and Sebastian, who probably drive her more insane than she lets on. But that's always been the beauty of Dirk's creations, and Jake knows she appreciates them as much as her parents did.
Jake lives an unnaturally long lifespan due to bonding with Dirk, and he doesn't slow down until Calliope is in her forties. He and Dirk move back to Washington due to Calliope's insistence, though they refuse to move in with her out of stubbornness.
Dirk finds him stretched out in front of the window late one night, and he folds his arms across his chest, smirking at him.
"Old habits die hard, huh?"
"Oh, shut it. The sky is still worth watching, even if the lights drown out the stars," Jake says.
"Thought you'd have your fill of stars by now," Dirk grins, moving to him and scooping him up, depositing him in their bed. "We've seen just about every one of them."
"I'll never have my fill of them!" Jake says defensively, hugging him tighter. He's tired, but that's nothing new. He's been getting more and more exhausted as the days pass on.
"Calliope wants us to have lunch with her tomorrow," Dirk murmurs in his ear. "You up for it?"
"Of course I am. Always want to see her..."
"I'll let her know."
They stay wrapped together in silence for a while before Jake, as always, breaks it.
"Do—do you ever regret bonding with me?"
Dirk clenches his shirt. "What the fuck kinda question is that? Of course not, Jake."
"But because of me you've aged like a human. You're not—not like other demons. Aranea and Meenah haven't aged at all. Every time we see them it makes me feel that much older. How could you possibly not care?"
"Because I waited plenty of lifespans to find you, baby. You made all of 'em worth it. This is my last one, and it's the only one I've been this happy in. I promise, okay? Don't think about stuff like that, you always worry over nothing."
"Do not..." Jake mumbles stubbornly. He yawns widely, nuzzling into Dirk's chest. "Remember when you first bit me and you said...Dave described love as wanting to move heaven and earth for that person?"
"Mmhmm," Dirk hums absently, carding his fingers through his hair.
"I think we moved them for each other."
"We did."
Jake closes his eyes and smiles. "Mmm...maybe we should cancel our lunch date tomorrow. She can come here. I'm tired."
"I know you are. You should sleep. I'll still be here when you wake up."
He falls into unconsciousness, drifting weightlessly through darkness until a voice has his eyes snapping open. His grandmother's smiling face in front of him, young and vibrant, John, Dave, and Karkat behind her. They wrap him in a tight embrace, and he returns it, crying happily when Jane and Roxy run to him as well, their hands clasped together. He basks in their warmth, tears streaming down his face when a familiar weight lands on his shoulder. He turns to see Dirk grinning at him, young again, his orange eyes flashing mischievously.
"So you gonna invite me in, or what?"