"Slow down, babe! You know I can't walk that fast!"
Klaus whined exasperatedly to Dave. He was ambling a good distance behind him up a steep hillside, strategically stepping over the tall blades of elephant grass still seeping with the early morning dew that his boyfriend had already chopped down; clearing a foot path for the two soldiers to traverse towards their destination.
"I don't understand how a man with such long legs can take such short strides." Dave joked over his shoulder, poking fun at his boyfriend.
The two men had already been on patrol in the Au Shau Valley for several hours, having started their mission when the sun first dipped below the horizon, allowing a vividly speckled blanket of stars to be their only guide on their journey through the night. They'd had no opportunity to stop to rest, and were both ready for a break to refuel their sore aching muscles and fill their empty bellies with a well deserved and highly anticipated meal.
"Ugh, are we there yet?" Klaus was growing impatient as the hours passed them by, his irritability shining through with his tone. Dave only laughed, shaking his head as he rolled his eyes, the corner of his lip quirking into an amused smirk.
"Patience is a virtue, darlin. We are almost there. I promise!"
"Patience is overrated! C'mon Davey. I'm starving, my feet hurt, I'm tired, I want a nap, I—"
"Complain too much." Dave chuckled, mimicking Klaus's confounded tone. Klaus gasped, clutching his imaginary pearls across his chest as he gawked wide eyed at his boyfriend's remark.
"My! David, how kirt of you! I'm hurt!" He tilted his head back, laying the back of his hand across his brow feigning betrayal.
"You're such a drama queen, babe, now come on, we are almost—oof!" Dave's words were cut short, as his boyfriend was suddenly wrapped around his body, nearly knocking him off his own feet.
"Carry me, Davey! I'm feeble!" Klaus had all four of his limbs wrapped around Dave's torso, his forehead pressing against the back of Dave's sweat dampened neck. Dave couldn't help the laugh that burst from his lips, nor could he hide the smile that spread across his features.
"You know, for someone who's 'so tired, so feeble' you sure climbed that mountain pretty quick." He turned his attention towards his love, Klaus's own smile barely visible over the fabric of Dave's army fatigues.
"Ah, well, miracles do happen, Davey m'dear! Where there's a will, there's a way! I willed you to carry me, and well, looky there, it worked! Yay!" Klaus cheered softly, nuzzling his nose deeper into the crook of Dave's neck, the sweet smell of his sweat filling his lungs.
"You're lucky you're so cute." Said Dave, as he pressed his lips against his love's arm wrapped just below his neck.
"The cutest." Klaus hummed against his skin. Dave scooped Klaus's legs into his arms, his hands resting beneath his knees as he positioned his love's body in an easier to manage bundle on his back. "Ah, luxury, baby, you spoil me!" Klaus exhaled a laugh through his nose, pressing his lips to Dave's neck in a gentle display of affection.
While the added weight of his boyfriend on his back didn't make their trek any easier (well, for him, anyways) Dave would never complain. He didn't know how he did it, but Klaus always managed to have him perfectly wrapped around his delicate little finger. And for whatever god forsaken reason; Dave loved it.
In fact, Dave loved everything about that man.
He loved the unapologetic wild nature that accompanied Klaus everywhere he went, he loved the way his nose crinkled before he'd sneeze, and the way his hair perfectly seemed to curl around his ears.
He loved his smile; that big, beautiful toothy grin that was so incredibly infectious, Dave had to mirror it whenever he'd be blessed enough to witness it.
Dave loved his eyes; those giant doe-like pools of emerald green that carried so much emotion behind their iris's. Dave could always tell exactly how Klaus was feeling just by looking him directly in his eyes, they truly were the windows into his beautiful soul.
He loved his laugh, and the expressions he'd make while he'd laugh. Dave adored the cute little snorts that followed his overly excited chortling. He loved the feeling of his warm body pressed against his own, and the sensation of Klaus's remarkably soft curls between his own calloused fingers.
He loved how much Klaus loved his hair to be stroked, even though he'd constantly goad him about it; when secretly, Dave loved doing it for him just as much as Klaus loved the feeling of it. Dave loved that behind Klaus's bravado of a tough no-fucks given exterior, he was a tender mushy puddle of love and goo right down to his core.
In all 29 years he'd spent on this earth, Dave had never met anyone quite like Klaus...
Someone so genuine, so unique. So fun loving, so carefree, and yet so humble and so selfless all at once. Klaus was every bit a delicate flower as he was a reckless whirlwind of chaos. Klaus could always make him smile, or laugh no matter what shit storms they faced together during their battles in this war.
He loved how Klaus went out of his way to help people, nurture them, and how he strived above and beyond to make others happy, always putting their needs above his own.
Dave just loved Klaus, plain and simple. He loved Klaus, was in love with Klaus, and knew in his heart of hearts that this was the man he was meant to have beside him for the rest of his life.
He wouldn't have it any other way...
"Alright, we made it. You can get off of me now, darlin." Klaus whined against his skin, the hot wisps of his breath tickling his flesh, making the delicate baby hairs on the back of Dave's neck stand at attention.
"Don't wanna..m'comfy." Dave reached his hand around, entangling his fingers into the short curls at the nape of Klaus's neck. He craned his face to his boyfriend and looked him in his eyes.
Klaus's eyes were smiling, the delicate lines on his features tugging around his eyes and his taught cheeks.
God, he was so beautiful...
Dave was always left completely enamored every time he'd see his boyfriends face. His features were so delicate and yet so strong. The perfect balance of masculinity and femininity. He was, in his humble opinion, God's greatest work of art, and he was so proud to call that man his own.
Klaus hummed when Dave seemed to be caught in a daydream and exhaled a quick chuckle.
"Oh, Davey. You're cute when you're in la-la-land." He kissed his nose, then went ahead and clambered off of his love's back. He placed his hands on his hips and leaned back, eliciting a few cracks from his spine. Dave snapped out of his daze before clasping his fingers into Klaus's and dragging him to the clearing they'd trekked to.
They were in a large open field, the grass was tall, yet manageable, and there were multiple tall evergreens surrounding the serene and quiet setting. Klaus shared a smile with Dave, as the latter dragged him to one of the many trees before pulling him down into a seated position on the ground beside him. Dave rummaged through the duffel he'd been carrying, pulling out a canteen of water and a bag of nuts. He tossed them both to Klaus who eagerly reached for them.
"Ah, truly a gift from the heavens! Thank you, Davey!" Klaus held the items to the sky before pressing them against his lips. Dave retrieved his own water and meal as he leaned against the tree beside his love. The two soldiers sipped at their water and ravenously attacked their breakfasts before a contented silence fell over them.
"Wow—it's crazy to think that in just a few short months, I'll be out of this place. On my way home." Dave had a distant look in his eyes, clearly deep in thought. Klaus hummed in response as he looked to his love, a soft smile tugging at his own lips.
"Oh yeah, your tour is almost up. Wow, that—that went by quickly. I'm happy for you, babe." Dave turned his gaze to Klaus's, a delightful smile playing across his features.
"Darlin, what are you going to do? You know, once you're out of here? We've never discussed our future plans before. What do you want to do once you are free from this hell hole?" Klaus's eyebrows tugged together, his lips pursing in thought.
"Huh, ya know, I've never given it much thought before." He stated truthfully.
He hadn't given it any thought, in fact. He never planned on being here at all, let alone think of when (or if) he could ever make it back to his own time. Considering his future after this place, after the war? Klaus hadn't the faintest idea of what to expect.
"I suppose—try to get home to my family, try to mend some damage between us. We were never the splitting image of a 'loving family' growing up, we were always more dysfunctional than not. But, I don't know, that never stopped me from loving them. We weren't related by blood, but, those kookie bastards were all that I ever cared about in this world. Well, until you came along, that is." Their eyes met as they shared an adoring smile. Klaus's cheeks tinged pink as he blushed at Dave's attention on him, he hated talking about himself.
"But, enough about me. What about you, babe? What are you going to do?" Dave's smile grew as he leaned his head against the bark of the tree, his eyes gazing dreamily towards the sunlight flickering through the canopy above.
"I'm going to use the money I got from serving to buy myself a piece of land. Ten acres or more, with a nice little farmhouse. Maybe a fixer upper I can turn into my own little slice of heaven. It's going to have a barn, and a garden. And all kinds of animals, maybe even a pond to swim in during the summers."
"Wow, Dave that actually sounds amazing." Dave laughed, out stretching his arm across his raised knee. He looked at Klaus with a smirk and an incredulous look.
"You can be honest, it's boring. But, that's just who I am. I've always enjoyed a quiet, peaceful life. You'd never guess it, since I signed up to be in this shit fest." He chuckled, shaking his head and tilting his chin towards his chest, "I've always loved using my hands, never been afraid of digging in the dirt. I prefer to dig into the soil after some carrots or potatoes, or shoveling manure instead of the soot and ash of gunpowder." He looked at his hands, forever tainted; stained with the color palette of war.
"I'm ready to get back to my roots. Kind of..start over, ya know?" Klaus smiled lovingly at Dave. He reached across and intertwined his fingers into Dave's as he peered deeply into his stunning blue eyes.
"I'm serious Dave, that sounds incredible. Wow, a quiet peaceful life?" Klaus closed his eyes trying to envision such a thing. "It sounds wonderful."
Dave looked at Klaus. He noted how his expression and tone both seemed so somber, like the thought of it made him somehow upset. Dave had heard of Klaus's life back home; he knew of his terrible father, and his siblings who seemed to never treat him with much respect, and yet despite all of that, he still loved them, admired them, even. Dave only wished Klaus could experience this with him, see what living, and what loving and being loved was really all about.
Dave pressed his palms to the earth and used his upper body strength to maneuver himself closer to Klaus. He wrapped his arms around his love and lowered him towards his body, until Klaus's back was pressed against his chest. Dave pushed his fingers through Klaus's tangled curls, pressing his lips to his sweat glistening temple, eliciting a content sigh. Klaus smiled, relaxing into Dave's touch.
"Come with me," Dave whispered. Klaus's smile dimmed as his eyes flickered open, brows furrowed with uncertainty.
"What?" Dave's smile brightened, his palm cupping Klaus's cheek as his blue eyes met his loves swirling pools of emerald.
"Come with me. We can build a life together, you and I. We can leave here, and continue our relationship outside of this place. We can—"
"Oh, baby, no. You..you don't want that. Trust me, no one ever wants me. Hell, I don't even want me—"
"What? Klaus, no! Don't talk like that, darlin. I love you!" Klaus's eyes widened at Dave's remark.
It'd been eight months since Klaus was thrown into this world, seven since they'd gone 'official' and become an item. They'd grown closer than he'd ever grown to anyone his entire life. Dave treated Klaus the way he'd only dreamed he could ever be treated, and yeah, Klaus absolutely loved that man, but he'd never found the courage to tell him.
Neither had Dave, that is, until that moment.
"You...you wha—"
"Love you?" Dave laughed as he pressed his forehead to Klaus's, nuzzling their noses together, "Baby, I've loved you since the moment I first saw you." Klaus closed his eyes as a tear slipped down his cheek.
He'd never been loved before...
"I...I love you too, Dave."
"Then come with me. Please? We can leave here, together. You and I. We can build a life together, grow old together on our little farm with our dogs, and cats, and goats, and—"
"Ponies! Can we get ponies, Davie? Ponies are so cute!" Dave laughed as he kissed Klaus's forehead.
"They're cute, but what they may lack in stature, they more than make up for with colossal attitudes. I had a pony growing up, Georgie—cute as a button, sassiest son-of-a-gun I have ever had the displeasure of owning."
"Aw, he sounds cute." Both men laughed.
"Cute, but terrible. We can have horses, though. Had a draft cross growing up, ole BJ. Now that was a remarkable animal. He was tall and all black except for a star, and a snip shaped like a flame on his nose. Kindest eye I've ever seen on an animal, and the most docile personality to match. I could pull that boy out of a field after months of him being off and be able to lead my niece around on him. I swear, it was like he knew she was a baby. He would slow down his pace, carefully setting each foot down. He was the perfect gentleman. Lived with my family until he passed away from natural causes at an old age."
"Wow, I want a BJ. And, for once, I don't mean that as a sexual innuendo." Dave chuckled as he ruffled Klaus's curls.
"Well, if you accept my offer, I'll get you your own horse, one like my ole BJ. I'll get you whatever you want."
"Even a—"
"Except a pony." Klaus pouted before his lips quirked, tugging into a soft smile, his expressive eyes taking on a more serious tone.
"You're serious, though? About us? About me?" Dave smiled as he wrapped his arms firmer around Klaus's frame, hugging him tighter against his chest. He pressed his lips to his curls, breathing in his scent.
"I've never been more certain of anything in my entire life, darlin. I love you, I want you. I want to spend the rest of my days with you." Klaus's smile grew, his lips quivering as his heart thudded heavily in his chest.
He finally found his slice of heaven, finally knew what love was—true love. Dave was his love, his heart, his soul. Dave was his entire world, and he didn't want to imagine living in a world without that man by his side.
Dave felt the same...
"Then, yes. I'll go with you. I'll live on a farm with you, raise animals with you, learn how to tend to a garden with you. As long as I'm with you, I know I'll be happy. I love you, Davey. I love you, with every beat of my heart."
Dave smiled as he pulled away from Klaus. He pressed his lips to his loves, enveloping him in a kiss filled with so much heart, so much love, and passion. He knew this man was the one for him.
They were made for each other...
He knew he'd finally found his missing piece; his soul mate in Klaus, and he couldn't wait to get out of this place with him, and begin their next exciting journey, together, with this man by his side...
Dave was abruptly pulled from his thoughts by the sound of Klaus's pained whimpering. A little over a week had passed since they'd learned Klaus's cancer had advanced to stage four. Since they'd found out his cancer was terminal, there was nothing more that they could do.
Since they found out that Klaus was dying...
He'd stopped all of his treatments; the chemo, the radiation. Everything that had failed in saving his life. The only positive coming out of this entire situation was that without the treatments it thankfully helped relieve him from the majority of his nausea. His burns were still healing, however, so he was still in quite a lot of pain.
He and Dave had woken up and gone downstairs to join their family for breakfast. Klaus still didn't have much of an appetite, but he ate as much as his stomach would allow, which wasn't very much. It was oatmeal, not Klaus's favorite delicacy by any stretch, but it was a bland enough substance to not aggravate his nausea. He'd eaten nearly a third of the bowl before he pushed it away, clenching his eyes shut as he blew out a long shaky breath, his hand draped over his belly. He wasn't nauseous, thankfully. At least, not yet. He was just full and so, so very tired.
Klaus was always tired...
They'd hoped his energy would perk up a bit now that the chemo and radiation were out of his system. Sadly, it only seemed to have the opposite effect. Every day was a struggle for Klaus. The first few nights were especially terrifying. They were his first nights he could sleep throughout without the nausea caused by his chemo keeping him up all night. He was exhausted, and the length of time he slept showed it.
The day they returned from the hospital Klaus could barely keep his eyes open the entire ride back home to the academy. Surely he was emotionally drained from the news of his cancer spreading, but it just pained Dave to see his love so damn weak. It was early enough in the evening, only about five in the afternoon when they made it back. Grace offered to fix Klaus a bowl of soup, but he declined. He just wanted to go to bed, he was simply too tired.
He just wanted to rest...
He was too weak to make the trek upstairs, so Dave wasted no time in scooping him into his arms and ascending the flight of stairs with Klaus's exhausted form pressed tightly against his chest. Dave laid Klaus on the mattress and he fell asleep immediately. Dave joined him in the bed, he himself feeling drained over the news of his love. He just needed to lay there with him, hold him in his arms and be with him.
Dave pulled his love's frame into his warm embrace and just held him there. Dave couldn't hold back his tears, so he cried over him, careful not to wake Klaus, he needed all the rest that he could get. Dave eventually fell asleep beside his love, where he rested with Klaus firmly wrapped within his arms until waking up the following morning around six.
Klaus hadn't stirred the entire night, which Dave was thankful for; at first. But as the day seemed to press forward and Klaus still showed no sign of waking, he couldn't help the dread that filled his chest. Klaus didn't wake until nearly six thirty that night; over an entire day had passed, twenty five and a half hours. And when he finally awoke, he simply got up to use the restroom before going right back to sleep. Dave had to wake him up to force him to drink water, he didn't want to add dehydration to his grocery list of ailments.
His days continued like that for nearly an entire week; he'd sleep anywhere from fourteen to twenty hours at a time, only waking to go to the bathroom or drink some water. Occasionally, Dave could get him to eat something, but it was always a struggle. He just barely had any energy.
After the sixth day Klaus thankfully seemed to wake up refreshed; revitalized, even. Dave guessed he must've needed those days to catch up on the hours of sleep he'd lost during his cancer treatments. He'd hoped this resurgence of energy would last. Some days Klaus would be pretty okay, he'd have energy to go downstairs for a meal, spend precious time with Dave and his siblings. While other days, he'd simply be too weak to get out of bed.
Today was one of those days...
"Here, baby, drink some water." Dave held the bottle to Klaus's dry parched lips, eagerly hoping he'd take a sip.
Klaus's eyes were tightly closed, his lips snarled up in pain. His abdominal burns were beginning to heal now that he'd stopped radiation for over a week, but, he'd accidentally reopened a few on the way back up from breakfast, and the pain was just too much to bear. Not to mention, the added pressure in his belly now from his meal certainly didn't help. He was so full he was beginning to feel queasy.
"N-no, not right now. Please, baby. I just need some time to rest and digest."
"Klaus, you—" Dave went to protest, but a sharp pained gasp from Klaus followed by him clasping his hands over his mouth cut him short.
"M'gonna be sick—" Klaus thickly swallowed in a vain attempt to hold back the bile that was building in his throat, threatening to spill. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as the all too familiar sensation of nausea overwhelmed his slender frame.
Dave acted fast, bundling Klaus into his arms and hurrying him to the bathroom inside their room. Within seconds, Dave had Klaus on his knees bent over the toilet, purging his insides into the bowl. Klaus and Dave both swore that his body must've been making up for lost time, as he continued to retch for an extended duration. Even once his stomach was vacant, his belly continued its protest, heaving painfully for nearly thirty minutes more.
"I did not miss this..." Klaus's limbs were shaking, his forehead resting against the porcelain seat; the cooling sensation welcoming against his flushed skin. Dave was rubbing his back, cooing words of encouragement to him, attempting to bring his love some ounce of comfort.
"I really think you should drink some water, baby. Your body could really use the hydration."
"No, please. I'd just puke it up, anyways," Klaus coughed and spit into the bowl. He groaned, screwing his eyes shut, his fist clutching his upset belly with one arm as he pushed himself away from his porcelain prison with the other. He was unsurprisingly unsteady, his arms trembling with exhaustion. He went to stand, planting his feet beneath him but the room began spinning, he was just so dizzy, and—
"Easy, baby. I've got you. Let's get you back to bed, yeah?" Klaus could only nod as Dave hooked his arm around his waist, heaving his arm across his shoulder. He started to lead Klaus out of the bathroom, but he just seemed to lack the proper coordination to make his legs move. Dave frowned at that; he hated seeing the love of his life so feeble, so weak. He stopped, adjusting so he could approach this differently, he went to gather Klaus into his arms, but his love pressed his hand into his chest in protest, shaking his head.
"No, babe. It's okay, I'm okay, I can do it. I just..just give me a second, please?" He looked to Dave longingly, pleading with those beautiful green eyes of his to just let him do this; just please let him walk, lend him some independence. Dave tightened his grip on his waist with a nod.
"Of course, darlin. Take all the time you need. I'm here, I'm not going anywhere. You let me know when you're ready, okay?" Klaus nodded, sighing in relief as he closed his eyes, and steadied his breathing.
He just needed the room to stop spinning...
A good minute or two passed and Klaus finally opened his eyes, shifting his gaze to Dave.
"Okay, I think I'm good now. I'm ready." Dave smiled, kissing his temple as he slowly took a step forward, gauging Klaus's stride. When he felt confident that Klaus would be alright to make it back to the bed, he allowed his steps to return to a steady pace, easy for Klaus to match. Dave sat Klaus down when they made it to the bed. Klaus swayed, his eyes clamped shut as a soft moan left his lips. Dave laid both of his palms on each of Klaus's shoulders to steady him.
"You're dizzy...drink, baby, please. You're dehydrated, here," He reached for the water bottle as he sat on the bed beside his love. Klaus leaned against Dave, heavily resting his head against his broad shoulder.
"M'not thirsty.." Dave frowned, shaking his head.
"Sorry, darlin. This isn't optional, I need you to drink. Come on, at least a few sips. Don't make me have Grace hook you to an IV, 'cause I will if necessary." Klaus groaned as he closed his eyes, resting his palm across his stomach.
"Please don't make me.." Klaus begged, voice barely audible over his discomfort.
It broke Dave's heart to see how uncomfortable Klaus was, how something as rudimentary as drinking water struck fear of the discomfort to come from it into his heart. Dave hated feeling like the bad guy; forcing Klaus to eat or drink when he knew it was so difficult for him to, but he knew how important it was that he continued to do-so. Klaus could not afford to miss out on any vital nutrients, he desperately needed all that he could get.
"I'm so sorry, baby...please, please just take a few sips. For me?" Klaus's lips quivered at the thought, his stomach just hurt so badly, he really didn't want to drink. But, he also didn't want to allow himself to be reduced to needing to depend on an IV, either. He knew he had to keep fighting.
If not for himself, then for Dave...
Klaus groaned before peeling himself away from Dave's shoulder and sitting up. He knew he had to do this, he knew that Dave was right. Dave kept his hand pressed firmly against the small of Klaus's back to steady him.
"Okay, I'll do it." Klaus's unsteady hands reached for the bottle of water. Dave smiled proudly at Klaus as he handed it to him.
He watched as Klaus brought the bottle to his lips; he struggled with it, almost like the weight of it was too much for his weary hands to handle. Dave helped Klaus steady the bottle against his lips, tilting it up as his love sluggishly guzzled a few sips. The water dribbled from the corners of his mouth, pooling down his chin and splattering against his shirt. They worked together to pull the bottle away when Klaus started sputtering, struggling to drink anymore. It hurt to see how difficult this was for him. Dave set the water bottle down as Klaus coughed harshly into his cupped HELLO palm.
"Shh shh, easy darlin. Breathe..." Dave wiped the water away from his face before cupping his cheek into his palm, gently caressing his cheek bone with his thumb. Klaus stopped coughing but was heaving, trying to catch his breath. He wrapped his hands around Dave's wrist and smiled a tired, yet genuine grin.
"M'okay, baby." Dave's face shone brilliantly with concern for his love; something so simple and yet was so difficult, so draining for him. God, he hated this all so much.
"I love you baby, let's lay you down, get you comfortable, okay?" Klaus tiredly nodded as Dave helped ease his weary frame down against the mattress. He pulled the blankets over him, tucking him in.
Dave sat up in the bed beside his love, his legs splayed out on the mattress. Klaus shifted, resting his cheek against Dave's stomach as he wrapped his feeble arms around his waist. Dave smiled down at Klaus, running his fingers through his hair with one hand as he laced their fingers together with the other. They sat together like that for quite some time in silence, just holding each other in quiet appreciation. Klaus's eyelashes began to flutter as Dave's soothing touch was beginning to lull him to sleep.
"Hey babe, earlier you were daydreaming about something. What were you thinking about?" Klaus asked tiredly. He'd always been observant, keen to pick up on others feelings. It came as no surprise to Dave that he'd noticed that. Even while he was laying in pain himself, he'd realized Dave's mind was elsewhere. Dave exhaled as he tilted his head back, propping it against the headboard.
"A memory." He stated simply. Klaus hummed in acknowledgment, poking Dave's side, earning the man to slightly jump as he chuckled. Dave always had been rather ticklish.
"Spit it out, what memory?" Klaus tightened his eyes and stifled a groan as he adjusted himself so he could peer up to look at Dave in his eyes. Dave smiled, easing Klaus back down into a relaxed position against his lap.
"No, baby. Just relax, there's no need to get up."
"Tell me the story." He whined, allowing himself to relax against Dave's soothing touch. Dave took in a deep breath, readying himself to tell the tale. Klaus's body moving tandemly with Dave's chest as it rose, relaxing and falling with the exhale.
"Alright, then. Do you remember that mission we had, our third solo?" Klaus hummed in response.
"How could I forget," He smiled fondly at the memory, "that was the first time you told me you loved me." Dave smiled as he nodded, tucking his fingers back into Klaus's curls.
"Yeah, baby...yeah it was." Dave let off a soft sorrowful laugh as he continued, "I was just reminiscing on that. Remembering our conversations from that day. It feels like just yesterday we were planning on getting out of Vietnam, starting a life together on a farm, with horses—"
"And ponies." Klaus reminded while Dave laughed.
"And not ponies," Klaus huffed in mock annoyance, "It's weird how long ago that was already. Months to us, but years in truth. We were so eager, so excited." He smiled sadly, closing his eyes to will away his tears that were brimming there, threatening to fall.
"We were so bright eyed and bushy tailed back then, so set on just finishing our tour and building our lives together from that simple dream." He trailed off as a tear slipped over his cheek. He couldn't be bothered to wipe it away. Klaus sighed in his lap, his own eyes opening into slits.
"It was a beautiful dream, baby.." He said quietly, tightening his grip on Dave's hand. "I'm so sorry."
Dave stiffened at his words, at his apology. Klaus had no reason to apologize—none of this, absolutely none of it was his fault.
"Baby, no, please don't—"
"No, baby. I'm serious. You had this...this beautiful, wonderful picture perfect life all planned out for us. I couldn't wait to experience it, share my life with you. I was so happy, so ready to spend everyday with you by my side. And now...now I'll never get to experience that life. Never get the chance to grow old with you, tend to our garden, ride our non-ponies," Both men let out a pitifully sad laugh. "I'm so sorry I'm leaving you, baby. I promise I didn't want to. I promise I wanted to share that life with you, my whole life. I was so ready to, so willing, so eager. I love you so much, baby. So much...I-I'm so sorry." Klaus let out an agonizing cry, his shoulders hitching as he wailed. Dave couldn't control his own tears.
Dave hated this, he hated everything about it. He hated that Klaus was dying, that he would ever need to face the fact that they would need to say goodbye. He hated how broken his love was, how scared. How sad he was, how terrified.
He hated that this was happening at all. Klaus was the most amazing, most kind, beautiful and selfless soul; he didn't deserve this pain.
He didn't deserve this fate...
Dave scooped Klaus's shattered frame into his arms, clutching his love against his chest. Klaus buried his face against Dave's strong chest, his fiancé's devestated heartbeat panging against his ear, as Dave immersed his tear streaked face into his love's curls. The lovers clung to each other, arms interlocked around the others body in a soul crushing embrace. Neither man ever wanted to let go, never wanted to leave the other, to lose the other.
Never wanted to say goodbye...
"Don't ever apologize for this, darlin. None of this is your fault. I'm so sorry this is happening to you, you don't deserve this. I can't..I can't lose you." They cried, just embracing each other, holding onto one another and engrossing themselves with the other's presence.
"I love you so much, baby. I never want to let you go. I'm..I'm so sorry"
"I'm sorry, darlin. I just love you so much."
"I love you." Klaus's energy was fading, his emotions and cries leaving him completely exhausted. He cried himself to sleep, encapsulated in Dave's warm, loving arms. Dave continued to hold him, to rock him as he continued to weep for his love. He couldn't believe the reality they would need to face. He couldn't accept it, it just hurt him too much.
"I'm so sorry, baby. I love you so much. I'm not ready to lose you, and I never will be."
—-
Authors Note: Thank you anyone still following along to this story. I hope you are still enjoying it! If you are, I crave validation, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Also, the horse BJ in this story is based on my horse Bejai (pronounced BJ lol) so yo, shoutout to my faithful steed! haha
