The ride to the hospital was agonizingly painful, and not only for Klaus. No one could breathe; it was like the oxygen within the van had been lit aflame, burning their lungs, tarnishing their hearts, and blackening their already feeble souls. Everyone was quiet, no words were spoken between anyone, no audible noise besides Dave's pleading for Klaus not to leave him, telling him that he still needs him, and letting him know that it can't be his time to go.
Klaus's pained whimpering had calmed down quite a bit since they first started their hurried journey rushing him to the hospital. He was conscious, he was aware, but he was eerily silent and still. Klaus's breathing had slowed to a frighteningly low rate, and his eyes, while still displaying his agony and obvious fear were hooded and half open, it was evident just how badly he was struggling to stay awake. While silent, he was still a soldier trapped within his weary body, fighting a losing battle, and clinging onto life as best as he could. Klaus was unwilling to leave his loved ones, as well as unable to say goodbye, his utter refusal to leave Dave and his siblings was his only reason he had not yet let go of his hold on life, or allowed himself to cross to the other side.
They were all just thankful that Klaus and Dave's property, while still out of the city, was close enough to the hospital that they were able to make it there in a record time. Dave had begged, pleaded with Five to use his abilities to teleport Klaus to the hospital, they knew that he didn't have much time, but Five couldn't guarantee that doing so wouldn't have caused Klaus more harm, so they opted to avoid risking it. All that mattered was ensuring he was as comfortable as they could keep him, and get him the help he needed as soon as they possibly could. They couldn't lose him, no one wanted to say goodbye. They couldn't, they wouldn't, they never would.
None of them would ever be ready to say goodbye…
When they arrived Dave rushed Klaus through the emergency doors and everything from that moment on was a blur. He couldn't see anymore through the haze of his tears, he couldn't hear past the thunderous beating of his heartbeat that was flooding his ears. The nurses had to forcibly pry Klaus out of Dave's arms. Dave didn't want to let him go, he was afraid that if he broke contact with his love, it would sever his tie to this world, that Klaus would be gone forever, and he would never see him again.
Dave didn't want to ever let his love go…
Dave and Klaus's siblings paced up and down the halls, finally able to release their emotions as their tears fell freely, and their hearts broke; crumbling and allowing their emotional walls to wither away, falling and crashing into oblivion as they coped the only way they knew how. Through tears, and agony, and clinging onto what little faith that they tried to possess in the months since they had first learned of Klaus's diagnosis. Dave couldn't move anymore, his knees turned to jello and he had to sit down in one of the chairs. He buried his face into his hands and he lost himself within himself. He couldn't differentiate between time, or space. He was unaware of his surroundings, of voices trying to comfort him, hands on his back, arms around his shoulders. He didn't even know who he was anymore. Dave was terrified—what if this was really it? Deep down in his heart he knew that this day was coming, they all had, but they'd tried so hard to avoid it, to postpone the inevitable and almost pretend like this would never happen. Dave was so hopeful that his love, his husband, his life would somehow pull through this. He couldn't believe he may actually need to say goodbye.
"Hargreeves," The doctor called and suddenly Dave was on his feet. He had tunnel vision, eyes, mind and heart focused on only one thing as his legs carried him forward. Klaus's siblings were flanking his side as they followed Klaus's doctor down the familiar hall that they had all grown all too familiar with. They stopped outside a door before the room that held his love, and the doctor addressed them all with a somber face that none of them could ignore.
"I am so, terribly sorry," he began, and already Dave felt his resolve crumble at his words. He always knew deep in his heart that this would happen, and that this was coming. He'd spent months trying in vain to prepare for this moment, but truthfully, how does one ever prepare for this? How is one ever supposed to be able to say goodbye, to lose the only person who ever meant anything to oneself? "Unfortunately, I'm afraid Klaus's time appears to be drawing to an end. His health has taken a sudden plunge. I'm very sorry, the tumor on his heart has grown and is cutting off the blood flow, it can no longer function properly. I'm afraid that at this rate, he may not have very much time left."
"How long?" Demanded Five, he needed to know how much time his beloved brother Klaus had left. "Weeks, days?"
"I'm sorry," the doctor repeated, he didn't know what else he could say. He knew how hard this would be for this family, he'd watched for months as they rallied around Klaus, trying everything they could to prevent this from happening. He hated that it had to be this way, "he may only have a few hours left, maybe even less. I—I am truly sorry."
"Can we see him?" Vanya asked, her voice wobbled with anguish as she looked towards the doctor with soggy despair filled eyes, "Please?"
"Of course." The doctor nodded his head solemnly. He laid a sorry hand on Dave's shoulder and the two men exchanged an apologetic glance before he opened the door for the family to join Klaus within his room.
There Klaus laid, his body was stoic and still aside from the heaving of his chest as he struggled desperately to gasp for his next breath. He looked unnaturally pale, and his already frail frame seemed to have somehow shrunk even more. It broke everyone's hearts to see Klaus this way, it seemed impossible for him to be any more close to death than he was at this moment. Klaus's tear filled green orbs met Dave's baby blues as he approached his husband's side. Dave could not help but to notice just how heavy and incredibly tired Klaus's eyes were. Klaus's lips tugged into the subtlest of smiles when Dave took his hands into his own, before taking a seat on the bed beside the love of his life.
"Hey, baby," Dave whispered sadly as a new batch of his tears made themselves present. He cupped Klaus's deathly hollowed cheek in his hand, and Klaus closed his eyes as he nuzzled against the warmth of his husband's palm.
"Dave," Klaus whispered weakly. His voice was wobbly and breathless. His lips trembled, as a steady stream of tears tumbled over his cheeks. Klaus sucked in a sharp breath, a combination of the pain in his chest and just his urgency to need oxygen in his lungs, "Davey, I'm sorry, I love you, I—"
"Shh, I'm here baby, we are all here." Dave assured him while he wiped away Klaus's tears, "Save your energy, okay?"
"No, baby," Klaus whimpered as his feeble hands reached for Dave's, his fingers gripped onto his husband with all of the strength he barely possessed. He was trembling, Klaus was so weak already, he could feel himself dying. He knew he didn't have much time, but he had so much that he still needed to say, "I am so sorry, I love you so much, baby. So much." Klaus paused to catch his breath before continuing. "I love all of you. I-I don't want to go. I'm so sorry—"
"I'm sorry, baby," Dave cooed through his tears, "I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I should have tried harder, I should have done more. Maybe if I would have just—"
"Baby, no...no," Klaus's eyes fluttered and he groaned when the pain in his chest grew stronger. Dave saw how his husband was struggling and stroked his thumb over his cheek, fixating his eyes on his loves. "None of this is your fault. Please, please don't think that way. I—I love you, Dave."
Klaus closed his eyes when his pain grew in intensity. His body began to feel somehow less like his own as his strength continued to diminish. Klaus laid his hands over Dave's, intertwining his fingers between his own. His heart cramped painfully, each beat was slowing down, as they headed towards their final halt. He sucked in a long, shaky breath and looked around the room to each of his siblings; Luther, Diego, Allison, and Five were to his left. They all were crying, unable to hide their tears. Klaus exhaled slowly before inhaling another breath, he peered to his other side; Ben was beside him, a look of pure devastation on his tear-stained face. He was promising Klaus that everything was going to be okay, that he would be with him always and telling Klaus not to be afraid. To his left was Vanya, Klaus didn't think he'd ever seen his sister look smaller, or more like a child with tear tracks down her beautiful face.
Klaus smiled weakly before looking straight at Dave. There he was in all of his beauty; his husband's eyes were always the first thing Klaus noticed about his love. Such deep pools of sapphire blue. They were always so kind, so gentle, and always held such a profound amount of love behind each iris.
Dave's eyes always shined brightest with the amount of love that he felt when he looked at Klaus…
And now they were weeping, each teardrop a chunk of his heart breaking off before shattering into shards that were seeping through the souls of his eyes. Klaus's own heart shattered, his own broken pieces of his heart staining each cheek with each labored breath that he struggled to take.
"I love you all so much, I never wanted to leave any of you" Klaus whispered softly, his heart thumping a slow rhythm within his chest, slowing down and fading as he inhaled his final breath, "I'm so sorry, baby. I love you, I'm not ready to leave you, I..love you..Dave—"
Klaus's breathing faltered to a sudden stop just as his frail body went limp within Dave's loving grasp. His hands were only still raised because of Dave's own grip. Klaus's eyes were open, but the fire within his soul, the effervescence of his life had gone, and left in its place two empty voids. Klaus's heart was no longer beating, and Dave's eyes widened as he released one of Klaus's hands to press against his neck to check for his pulse. Dave cried out, looking to each sibling before his eyes returned to his love's still form.
No pulse, was what he found. The cries of his family echoed through the room as each member realized the horrifying truth: this was it.
His battle was over…
Klaus was really gone…
Klaus's hand fell limply at his side, his palm facing up with a bold print 'Goodbye'.
"No, baby, please," Dave wailed. He scooped Klaus's limp form into his arms, pulling his husband against his chest as he wept against his frighteningly still shoulder, "come back, baby! Please! Don't leave me, you can't! I love you, please!"
Dave's voice was strained through his gut wrenching sobs. He couldn't believe this was happening, this couldn't be true. Klaus was just there, just talking, just smiling, just laughing...
Dave startled, inhaling a gasp when he was suddenly pushed against the evergreen, the rough bark digging into his exposed back. He exhaled a sigh of relief when he realized it was only his boyfriend, Klaus.
"Tag, you're it!" Klaus cheered, his emerald green eyes bright and full of excitement as he stared ever so slightly up into Dave's own blues. Klaus laughed, his beautiful Cheshire grin spanning the width of his face as his laughter sang like a choir of angels to Dave's ears. Dave smiled fondly, his own laughter joining his love's; Klaus's laughter had always been Dave's favorite sound.
"Tag? I've already been chasing you, darlin," Dave said as he kissed the tip of Klaus's nose, his heart fluttering at the warmth that filled Klaus's cheeks at the gesture, "and, surprise! I already won!" He pivoted, spinning so that Klaus's back was pinned against the tree, Dave's broad chest pressed against Klaus's bare flesh. He kissed Klaus's forehead, his cheek, before peppering his neck and shoulder with kiss after kiss. Klaus chuckled, wriggling under Dave's breath.
"I told you to shave that pitiful excuse of a beard, baby. It's like sandpaper. You're giving me a rug burn!" Klaus laughed, cupping Dave's cheek within his palm before trailing it down his face. He scratched beneath his chin like he would a puppy's earning a yip from Dave; the tickling sensation making him squirm. Klaus's laughter bellowed at his boyfriend's reaction, tears reaching his eyes as he struggled to breathe, "God, you're too damn cute."
Klaus kissed Dave then, hard and full of a long winded passion. Dave couldn't believe how much he already loved this man.
"Please, God, give him back to me! I can't lose you, baby! Please, please come back!" Dave begged, his pleading cries echoing throughout the small hospital room. Klaus's siblings were crying, too. Allison and Vanya were each clutching onto each other, each heart wrenching sob shaking their slender frames. Five was sitting on the floor, his legs had failed him the moment he realized that Klaus, his beautiful brother, was gone, and would never return again. He had his knees folded and pulled tightly against his chest, his eyes buried against his arms that were wrapped around his legs. He was rocking back and forth, his shoulders shaking with each unsteady sob he made.
Luther was holding Diego upright, it was a miracle he hadn't collapsed; his face was an unearthly shade of pale. Luther cried, his face contorted with his own misery as he held onto his brother. Diego was breathing heavy, his lips were trembling while heavy droplets of tears poured over his ashen cheeks.
"No, Klaus!" Diego finally cried as this unfortunate reality finally hit him and he came a little more to his senses, "Please, god, no! This can't be happening! It can't!" Luther pulled Diego into an embrace, their figures trembling as more cries of pain, and loss filled the small hospital room.
Dave pulled away from Klaus, laying his body back on the bed.
His body…
He didn't like to think of his love like that, but that's all that he was, now. Just the hollow shell of the man he loved so - the man he still loves, and would forever love. Dave sniffled, his eyes barely able to see through the vastness of his tears while his trembling hands found their way back to his husband's cheeks. Klaus's warmth was already fading, his eyes were stuck in an eerie vacant stare. Dave's heart clenched at the sight. This was not right, those were not his love's eyes, he could never forget those beautiful, vibrant green hues…
A brilliant flash of blue jolted Dave from his rather restless slumber. Propping himself on his elbows he squinted his eyes open expecting a blinding light, or intense flames from fire. His eyebrows furrowed when instead of an explosion from a bomb, or a strike from a bolt of lightning, his eyes landed on an even more curious sight. A man was staring up at him from the ground; his expression was bewildered at best, confusion heavy in the air as his giant doe-like green eyes hyper focused on Dave's bemused blues. Dave had never seen such a beautiful shade of green before. This man, he had no idea who he was, or where he'd come from, but one thing Dave realized amidst all of the chaos - was that this man was beautiful, and he needed to learn more about him. The man shook his head and went to speak when an explosion went off and Dave leapt from his bed to help this man to his feet. He remembered amongst all of the chaos and confusion that the two men parted ways, but he felt his heart flutter when he spotted him on the bus later that day. He smiled when he extended his hand to the man in greeting, "Dave." Then those beautiful green eyes smiled just for him and his hand found his own, "Klaus." Dave knew at that moment that his life as he knew it would forever be changed as their eyes stayed locked on each other, smiles wide as they finally exchanged names.
Dave's hand trembled as he delicately placed his palm to Klaus's face, stroking his soft skin before he gently closed his love's eyes. He couldn't believe this was really happening, he was unable to accept that Klaus was really gone. He didn't want this to be real, he couldn't accept it as truth. Dave still needed him, he couldn't bear the idea of actually needing to let him go.
"Please, please, god - please, I'm begging you, give him back. Please, I can't—I can't lose you, baby, please. Please come back, I love you. I was supposed to protect you! We were supposed to grow old together, we just got our farm, darlin. We—we—we were supposed to be happy! You made me happy, baby! Please, please come back to me! I love you!"
The sun was just beginning to peak over the mountain of the crouching beasts; brilliant rays of sunlight danced across the open field the two soldiers were laying upon. They were fully exposed, and one with nature as their sweat intermingled with the morning dew that was thickly laden over each tall blade of grass surrounding the pair. Dave could only smile at the glorious sight before him. Klaus was practically glowing as the sunlight enveloped his skin, only helping to enhance his already naturally extraordinary beauty. His emerald green eyes were still heavy with sleep but they shined with love as soon as they met Dave's blue orbs. Klaus's smile stretched wide across his features, Dave always loved that smile, it was so infectious he couldn't help but to smile himself whenever he saw it. Dave still couldn't quite grasp the fact that this stunningly perfect creature was his. How had he been lucky enough to meet this wonderful person, and do-so deep down in the depths of hell, no less? When Dave came to Vietnam he came expecting to fight in this war, and potentially give his life for his country. The last thing he ever expected to find was love. But boy, did he. And he could not be any more grateful that he had been blessed enough to find this vision and share his time serving with such an amazing man. Klaus could always make Dave smile, or laugh. His humor was truly one of a kind, and something Dave loved and appreciated more than he would ever be able to voice to Klaus. He was beautiful, gifted in so many things, from picking up and learning things so quickly; whether it be how to cook, or learning a new trick to always hit his target, Klaus was just so incredibly special. Not to mention that he was beautiful. Everything about Klaus was perfect to Dave; from his smile, his beautiful eyes that displayed every emotion he was ever feeling so vividly, to the way his lips felt against his, or the way his hand fit within his own. Dave just loved Klaus, and couldn't wait to spend the rest of his life with this man. Only a few short weeks away and they would be able to get out of the military, return to the states and buy their perfect little farm. Dave was so excited to share something so perfect with the love of his life.
Dave exhaled the breath in his lungs as he cupped his calloused palm to Klaus's cheek. Their eyes met and Klaus's lips tugged into a crooked grin. He ran his palm down Dave's forearm before running his fingers through his dirty blonde curls and Dave chuckled softly at the delicate touch against his scalp.
"God, you're perfect." Klaus said as his eyes bounced between each of Dave's perfect pools of blue.
"Not as perfect as you, darlin." Klaus's smile twitched into something of uncertainty before he closed his eyes and nuzzled himself deeper into Dave's palm. He laid his hand over Dave's and just absorbed this feeling while Dave continued to speak. "I love you, Klaus."
"I love you." A single tear rolled over Klaus's cheekbone and Dave wiped it away, his eyebrows furrowing with instant concern.
"What's wrong, are you okay?" He asked with a worried tone as he inched himself closer to Klaus.
"It's just—I've never felt like this before. No one—no one has ever treated me like this. No one has ever told me that they loved me, because I've never been loved. My own family doesn't even love me. I just—" he paused to rest his head against Dave's shoulder, and Dave wrapped his arm around him, hugging him close. Klaus closed his eyes and sniffled before he finally admitted the truth. "I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and that this will have all just been a dream. Like, you couldn't possibly be real, because I don't deserve you, Dave. I don't deserve such kindness, compassion or such love. I just—I just don't."
"That's not true, darlin," Dave pulled Klaus into his arms and tilted his chin so that he had to look into his eyes. "You deserve the world. It breaks my heart that it's taken you this long to be treated the way you've always deserved. You are amazing, Klaus. Everything about you is so wonderful, you are truly the most extraordinary person I've ever been lucky enough to meet." Klaus snorted at the term 'extraordinary', if only Dave knew how far from that he truly was.
"I'm not a dream, or some figment of your imagination, Klaus." Dave pulled Klaus's hands into his own and gave them a tight, grounding squeeze, "Do you feel that? I'm real. What we share is real. I love you, I love every ounce of you, every quirk, every raunchy and questionable remark," they both laughed as he spoke, "everything. I love you, Klaus. And I can't wait to get out of this place and spend the rest of my life with you."
"You really mean that, Dave? You're not going to grow tired of me once you have an entire planet of men to choose from?"
"I have an entire universe to choose from as it is, baby, and I choose you. I'd choose you every time—here in Vietnam, or America, or fucking Mars. I don't care, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Klaus's tears freely fell at Dave's words.
"I want that too, baby." Klaus said as he stifled his tears. Dave smiled before kissing Klaus's forehead, then the tip of his nose. Klaus giggled softly before Dave kissed his cheek, and finally his lips. He pulled away, cupping his cheeks in his palm.
"I love you." Dave said as he plucked a wildflower from the earth. He tucked Klaus's curls behind his ear and planted the flower there with it. Dave smiled at the sight of his love while Klaus giggled before wiggling his eyebrows.
"Do I look pretty?" Klaus asked in an exaggerated feminine tone as he twisted a curl around his finger. Dave laughed and gently gripped his chin with his thumb and forefinger before snagging his pout for another gentle kiss.
"You're beautiful." Klaus smiled genuinely before curling himself up in Dave's arms. He kissed his cheek before resting his head against his shoulder. Dave held him there and the couple just laid within each other's arms, absorbing the other's presence as they basked in their love.
"I'll do it, you know." Klaus whispered as he nuzzled himself closer against the warmth of Dave's neck.
"Hmm," Dave began as he ran his palm up and down his boyfriend's bare arm. "You'll do what, darlin?"
"I'll quit taking drugs. I know how much you dislike it, and I'm sorry I've fought you for so long over it—"
"You don't have to apologize, baby, I understand—"
"I'll quit. Right now, I'm done. I don't want them anymore. I don't need drugs to protect me...because I have you." Dave smiled proudly at his love's statement. He was so happy to hear this news. So overjoyed that he didn't have to watch Klaus slowly kill himself by poisoning his body, and that he felt safe to give up his security blanket of drugs because of him.
"I'll always keep you safe. I love you, Klaus."
"I know," Klaus began as he tilted his head to peer at Dave. "I know you will, and I love you, too. More than you'll ever know." The two men exchanged a kiss, knowing that from this moment forward it would be the two of them against the world. Dave knew that he loved this man, and that he would give his own life to protect him and always keep him safe.
The doctor entered into the small room and approached Dave, laying a hand over his shoulder as he glanced around the room at all of Klaus's devastated siblings, before his eyes finally landed on Klaus. Dr. Thomas frowned as his own eyes filled with tears. He truly wished there had been more he could have done for this family, and for Klaus who he had come to grow particularly fond of.
"I am so sorry for your loss—"
"No! He's not..he's not gone...I'm not...I'm not leaving him. Not yet! I can't, I can't leave him here alone...he needs me..." Dave cried as he ran his thumb over Klaus's cheek, his tears streaming down his own.
"Please, take all of the time that you need." began as he addressed the family in mourning, "I'll be right outside in the hall if you need anything. I truly am sorry for your loss." No one could answer him through their tears so he simply nodded before leaving the family alone with Klaus.
Dave laid down on the hospital bed and Pulled Klaus's limp form into his arms while he cried against his love's shoulder. He wasn't ready to let him go, he wasn't ready to say goodbye.
"I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry, I hope you know how much I love you."
—-
When Klaus opened his eyes he was greeted by an unfamiliar world full of monochromatic tones. It was black, and white, and beautiful. He rose to his feet and stretched his arms above his head. No longer was he frail, or weak. He was strong, and healthy and...alone.
He allowed his eyes to wonder to absorb his surroundings as he traversed the trail he found himself on. There was a forest of trees flanking him to either side, and a small cabin off in the distance.
"Where the hell am I?" He asked himself as he stopped at a crossroad.
"Hell is far from it, actually."
Klaus turned when he heard the unfamiliar voice and was surprised to be met by a little girl on a bicycle. He quirked his eyebrows up and tilted his head as he sauntered closer to the young lady.
"Um, hello, who are you?" he asked before shaking his head with a soft laugh and leaning forward, resting his hands on his knees. "Oh wait, I'm unfamiliar with the whole 'kid thing', should I not ask that? Where is your mommy or daddy little girl?" Klaus squinted his eyes to look beyond the girl but she just scoffed, rolling her eyes as she folded her arms across her tiny waist.
"I have no 'mommy or daddy', Klaus," she began and Klaus furrowed his eyebrows as he looked back at the little girl again.
"Hey, wait, how did you know my name—"
"Haven't you figured it out yet?" Klaus's face screwed up as he pondered her questions. She let out an irritated huff before continuing. "Okay, let me make this simple for you. You're dead, Klaus."
"What?" He asked as he stood up straight, his eyes widening in realization. "No—No, I can't be—that can't be right, I'm not ready, I—"
"I'm afraid it's true. You died, Klaus. You passed away, you lost your battle with cancer." Klaus's lips quivered at her words. It couldn't be true, he didn't want to die, his life was finally shaping up, he and Dave were finally going to be happy—
"Please, send me back—" Klaus begged.
"It was your time to go—"
"No! You don't understand, I wasn't ready—" he continued to plead, but the girl only laughed.
"I think it is you who doesn't understand, Klaus. Do you really think anyone is ever truly ready to die? The answer is no. It was your time to go."
"Please," Klaus begged, his tears streaking his cheeks, "I can't leave them. We were finally going to be happy! I finally had my family, and Dave—"
"Dave, I nearly forgot about him..." Klaus looked at the girl with confusion clearly evident against his features. What was she talking about? "You know, I may not like you very much, but I'll give you credit for one thing. You did manage to save Dave."
"What do you mean?" He asked as he went closer to the little girl.
"Had you not stopped taking drugs in Vietnam, Dave would have been killed on the front lines. Your sobriety saved his life, Klaus. And in return, he tried to save yours."
"Wait, what do you mean? Dave would have—" Klaus needed to sit down. He couldn't believe what this little girl was saying could be true. Dave would have died had he not given up taking drugs?
"Yes. He would have died, so I'll give you credit for that. Dave was always one of my favorites, he always had a good, kind soul." Klaus nodded as a soft smile played across his lips.
"Yeah, yeah he was—is. Dave is a really remarkable person. I was so lucky that I had him in my life for as long as I did. I'm—I'm really going to miss him." Klaus sniffled as he began to cry again. He missed Dave so terribly, he didn't ever want to say goodbye to his love. He'd waited his entire life to find someone like Dave, and when he finally had him, and they were finally going to be truly happy…
He had to go and die…
"Dave loved you, you know." Klaus wiped at his tears as he glanced at the girl. "He loved you more than anyone, more than himself, his family. He—"
'No baby, Please! Come back, baby! Please! Don't leave me, you can't! I love you, Klaus please!'
"Dave?" The little girl and Klaus asked in unison as Klaus rose to his feet.
'Please, God, give him back to me! I can't lose you, baby! Please, please come back!'
"Dave!" Klaus cried, "Baby! I'm here!" he turned to the little girl. "What's happening? Why can I hear him?"
"This has never happened before," she began as she looked at Klaus with wide eyes. "His love for you is so strong his cries are piercing through the veil in an attempt to pull you back."
"Can-can he do that?"
"If a loved one needs someone; not just wants them, but truly still needs them then, yes, I suppose it could be possible—"
'Please, please, god - please, I'm begging you, give him back. Please, I can't—I can't lose you, baby, please. Please come back, I love you!'
"Dave, I hear you baby! I love you, I'm here! I'm right here!" Klaus cried before crumpling to his knees as he allowed himself to sob. "God, I love him so much...I can't...I can't say goodbye.."
The little girl watched as Klaus broke down, allowing his emotional wall he'd built up to crumble and reveal the true emotions he'd been feeling. She saw how scared he was to lose his love, saw how he truly was not ready so say goodbye...
'We—we—we were supposed to be happy! You made me happy, baby! Please, please come back to me! I love you!'
And clearly, neither was Dave…
She stood up, kicking out the kickstand on her bike before she walked over to Klaus. Her small hand laid against his shoulder as it shook from his sobs. He startled from the unexpected touch, his tear filled eyes meeting the little girl's cool expression. There was a moment of silence that passed between the two, and then her lips tugged into a warm grin.
"It appears that I was wrong," she began. "It is not your time yet, Klaus."
"What?" He asked as he quickly scrambled to his feet.
"It's not going to be easy for you. You are going to have a long road to recovery before you," she began as she listened to the wailing of his siblings joining in alongside Dave's desperate pleas. "But I have a feeling that you'll have plenty of people who love you who will make sure that you will be just fine."
"Wait—" Klaus began, his eyes widening as he inhaled a sharp breath. "Are you—"
"You can't stay here. Goodbye, Klaus. They're not ready to say goodbye yet—your family and Dave still need you." Klaus's lips wobbled before tugging into a grin.
"T-Thank you." Klaus pulled the little girl into a hug that she did not return, but she did pull away and pat his shoulder with a warm smile.
"I guess you're not so bad of a guy after all, Klaus. You must be pretty special for them to need you so desperately." He laughed at her words. "Good luck, Klaus." He smiled and nodded at her before his world began to shift and morph as he felt himself be pulled somewhere new and suddenly all that he saw was white and blue…
—-
Dave rocked Klaus in his arms as he continued to cry. He was no longer begging to an unknown force to return his love to him, he knew now that his love's fight was over and that he was really gone. He could no longer see through his tears that showed no sign of stopping as he ran his fingers through Klaus's curls and peppered his skin with heartbroken kiss after kiss. Dave still couldn't believe that Klaus was gone. He didn't want to believe that once he let his husband go that this would be it. Klaus was gone, and he would never see him again, or hold him in his arms. Dave couldn't live with the fact that he was never going to see his love smile again, or hear his laugh...
Dave held Klaus tighter, his body had already grown cold, and stiff and was nothing like the man that he loved so. Dave already missed him—he missed his vibrant spirit, and the warmth of his beautifully kind soul.
"I'm so sorry, darlin. I love you...I love you so much. I love you, Klaus—"
A sudden and unexpected sharp inhale and a long cold hand tightening against his own caused Dave to nearly fall off of the hospital bed in surprise. His heart hammered wildly within his chest as he pulled away from Klaus before he was able to wrap his mind around what just happened. That came from—that was—
"Klaus?"
Klaus's eyes fluttered open and he squinted against the harsh white fluorescent lights above him before his eyes finally focused on Dave's beautiful blue irises.
"Dave..." Klaus whispered, his voice was soft and weak after returning from the realm of the dead. "Hi baby."
Dave couldn't even form words, his lips quivered before pulling into a smile as he cupped his palm to Klaus's cheek. It was warm, this was real, he was alive...
"Oh my god, darlin you're—you're—"
"I'm alive, baby." Klaus exhaled a soft laugh. "Turns out, it will take a lot more than cancer for you to get rid of me." Dave laughed before he pressed his lips to Klaus's. Everyone in the room circled around the bed just as Dave pulled away. He kept Klaus's cheeks cupped within his palms and Klaus wrapped his hands around Dave's wrists.
"Oh my god, Klaus you're—"
"I'm back from the dead, bitches." Klaus tried to joke but he was still rather weak. He continued to smile as he looked at each person surrounding him in his hospital room. "The little girl in the afterlife sent me back for all of you. She said that you guys all still needed me. Is that...is that true?"
"Of course it is, Klaus." Allison said through her happy tears. "You're our baby brother. We love you."
"I'm going to get the doctor." Five said with wide eyes as he quickly blinked out of the room. They all were in shock that Klaus was here, that he was talking. That he was breathing and alive.
"I love you all." Klaus's eyelashes fluttered and he exhaled a soft groan.
"Are you okay?" Dave asked frantically, he'd just gotten Klaus back, he was terrified to lose him again. Klaus smiled as he nodded, tightening his grip on Dave's hand.
"Yeah. I am, actually. I'm tired, and a little stiff but...I feel better, baby. I feel good." Dave's smile widened as he exhaled a soft laugh before kissing Klaus's forehead, his cheek, and his nose before their gazes met and they exchanged a warm loving grin. Dave pressed his lips against Klaus's again. He smiled into the warm sensation of Klaus's lips against his own.
The door swung open and Klaus's doctor looked shocked and amazed.
"I don't believe it, with how long you were—this should be impossible. We need to run some tests, okay?"
They ran many tests that day, repeated all of Klaus's previous labs and when the doctor finally returned to Klaus's room he wore a wide smile on his face.
"It's a medical miracle," he began before he flipped through the pages of Klaus's chart for the hundredth time that day. "I don't know how to explain it, but—you're healthy. The cancer cells have shrunk, and appear to be going away. You're—you're in remission, Klaus."
Klaus smiled wide as his laughter filled the air, he had tears of joy falling down his cheeks. Suddenly there were arms around him from all directions as each of his siblings threw themselves at him, enveloping him into a hug. This truly was a miracle, one that each of them could not be any more grateful for. Klaus was getting a second chance at life. He was going to get to live his life to the fullest, with his family and the love of his life by his side.
—-
It took some time for Klaus's body to heal from all of its trauma; having cancer and dying before springing back to life wasn't exactly easy, but in time it was all worth it. Dave and Klaus's family never left his side, they were there to guide him and help nurse him back to health. Ben never stopped smiling the second after Klaus's eyes burst open on that hospital bed, and after Klaus regained his strength they were able to work on shaping his powers. Klaus finally learned how to make his brother corporeal, and Ben was never unseen to his family ever again.
It was a beautiful day on the farm, the sun was just beginning to kiss the tops of the trees as it began its descent from the horizon to tell the world Goodnight. It's brilliant orange and pink hues looked like an oil painting as it danced across their private lake. Klaus smiled as he stared lovingly into Dave's eyes. The couple were holding one another's hands as Allison stood before them, and the rest of their family stood behind them with their own smiles across their blissfully happy features.
"Dave and Klaus, with the power vested in me I am happy to re-pronounce you two bonded together for all of eternity. You may now kiss the love of your life." Klaus eagerly pressed his lips against Dave's, his husband as they renewed their vows. Dave wrapped his arms around Klaus, pulling him against his chest as he spun him around. Klaus laughed until his feet were firmly planted on the ground again and he kissed Dave again, and again, and again.
This was everything he could have ever dreamed and more. Klaus was happy; he had his family, his perfect home that he and Dave constantly added their own personal touches to every day. Their home that they filled with so much love. He had his dream farm, with his dream man, and he had his family. Klaus's heart was beating within his chest—he was alive, and he was well. He finally had everything he'd ever dreamed of, and so much more.
"Ouch!" Five wailed, earning everyone's attention. All eyes landed on him. "Your pony bit me, Klaus!"
Klaus and Dave both laughed as Dave gently nudged his husband's shoulder.
"I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so!"
Klaus just shrugged his shoulders and his giggled filled the air. "But it's so cute!"
"Not as cute as you." Klaus smiled broadly as he threw his arms around his husband.
"I love you, Dave."
"I love you, too."
The couple pulled each other into another passion filled kiss. They finally had each other and they were overjoyed that they would never have to be apart again. They finally got their happily ever after.
—-
Authors Note: THE END! ;)
That's it you guys, this story is over! I hope it did not disappoint! I humbly ask that if you followed along to this story at all that you **PLEASE leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on this since this was the FINAL CHAPTER!** With everything going on in the world right now, we could all use a little positivity and I would really love to hear from you!
I can't believe this is over! I have worked on this for several months and it is surreal to say goodbye! I am glad it ended on a happy note and that Klaus got what he always deserved, his happily ever after with his love and his family by his side!
I hope that you all are doing well, and staying safe! Thank you again to anyone and everyone who read along and followed this journey from start to finish, I appreciate you and hope that you enjoyed the end! :)
