This is it, the final chapter

I am SO sorry I took so long to update, just life getting in the way and a bit of a lack of inspiration and motivation ehehe...At least I got it done!

I'm really stoked that this is my first ever completed multi-chapter fic, but I'm nervous that I didn't end it too well ;w; I guess it's just because this is a first time thing.

Alright, enough of my rambling, Time to get this show on the road!

Chapter Fourteen

There has never been a time where Dirk felt as hopeless as he was now. Staring down at the letter in his hand that had informed him that he didn't get the job he went to the interview for really put a damper in his confidence. What the hell was he going to do now? He only had enough money to probably pay for 2 more rent payments and he was already budgeting when it came to food, nappies and other necessities for the boys. In his desperation for money, Dirk had sold a fair few of his swords and other possessions; their sacrifices were not in vain but the money they made disappeared as quickly as they came.

Dirk let out a defeated sigh as he leaned over the table and buried his face into his arms. By the looks of things, he's gonna have to give Dave and Karkat to either Roxy, Jane or Aranea until he finally gets a good paying job; he's glad that they offered to look after the boys but he hates the idea of him being a burden for them by giving them his responsibilities.

Maybe he should get some fresh air. Yeah, that sounds like just what Dirk needs to clear his mind and figure out where to go from here. Quickly, Dirk grabbed the stroller out and hunted down the boys; Dave was on the couch, attempting to climb onto the top of the backrest (and struggling due to his height), while Karkat was crawling around in a rather large pile of smuppets. The oldest Strider swooped in and picked Dave up just as he finally was able to pull himself up to the top, earning an angry whine from the tot, and dug Karkat out from the pile. Strapping the boys in, Dirk quickly exited the apartment, almost instantly feeling much more refreshed than what he was just a few seconds ago in their home.

With no real destination in mind, the three just wondered; keeping an eye out for any possible 'employee wanted' signs, or even a hint of inspiration to bring out his creative side and make a few little gadgets and knickknacks he's surprisingly talented at making (how else would their apartment studio be infested by smuppets?) that he could sell over the internet. Sadly, nothing was coming to mind after 15 minutes, which was making the elder Strider frustrated.

'Alright, maybe you're overthinking everything. If you focus on something else you might come up with something…Jane's birthdays coming up, maybe that'll help.' Dirk thought. He already had something planned for her, sort of a gag gift to freak the poor girl out, and a serious present, hoping that she doesn't kick him out of the house before then. With that in mind, The Striders headed for their next destination. To the sex shop!

Now, most people would think this is a terrible place to take a child but Dave is 1 year old, and Karkat's…god only know's (Dirk's going to have to look that up), it's not like they know where they are or remember. Even if they did, they're gonna learn about it eventually, may as well prepare them while they're young. And because of the kids, it was no surprise that the few people already in the building were staring at them, and probably giving Dirk dirty looks for getting the wrong idea. Pfft, it's not like they know him anyway, so why should he care what the other customers thought of him, now, where's the pornography?

Dirks plan is to get a porno, change the cover art on the case and disk (or sticker) to make it look harmless like a Disney movie or something, thinking Treasure Planet, and SURPRISE! Jane's probably gonna hate him for this (sure she's a prankster herself, but this is out of her area of expertise), Roxy and Meenah will most likely appreciate the prank but he was going to be considerate and at least give her a tame one.

When he finally picked one out, he brought it over to the large man behind the counter, who raised an eyebrow at him which gave Dirk the impression that he had the wrong idea.

"Err, the kids have absolutely nothing to do with this."

"I figured, I've seen parents bring their brats in before, but what on earth is that troll chewing on?" The clerk said as he pointed a fat finger at Karkat.

Confused, Dirk looked over the pram, finding Karkat was chewing on a smuppet he must have had when he was in the pile and- oh shit.

"Oh god," Dirk muttered as he yanked the plush out of the tiny wigglers possession, which earned him a whine. "Shit, I didn't think he had that."

"What on earth is that?" the fat man behind the counter asked, surprisingly looking more curious than disgusted at the puppet in his hand.

"Uhh, it's called a smuppet, I kinda make them." Oh man was Dirk feeling embarrassed, which is a very rare sight, but come on! His adopted bro was found chewing on a very sexualised looking plush doll!

"Really? May I have a look?" Dirk handed the man the doll and watched as the man examined his creation, "Interesting, this is some quality craftsmanship. Did you say you made this?"

"Uhh, yeah. Why?

"You wouldn't happen to be selling these, cuz I think you could make a good deal of money with this."

Dirk was quite for a moment, registering what the man had just said until finally the light bulb inside his head finally lit with realization.

Not even bothering to keep up his cool guy image, Dirk leaned over the bench and gasped onto the clerk's hand. "Sir, thank you so much for giving me an idea for helping me out of my financial problem!" and with that, Dirk rushed out of the shop with the boys; leaving the clerk confused of the sudden burst of joy from the guy with the pointy shades who just abscond.

As soon as they returned home, Dirk released the boys from their confinements and let them roam about and do whatever, while the adult quickly jumped onto the computer.

"I can't believe I didn't think of this, it was right literally in front of me the whole time!" Dirk said to himself as he opened up his Ebay and Etsy account, and a few social media websites for advertisement. This was his last ditch effort; if shit hits the fan then they're completely screwed and the boys will have to go to someone who can look after them properly until he can finally support them himself.

The first few days went by rather slowly, as expected. Dirk was starting to panic slightly that this plan might not work, but by the fifth day, he could have sworn he had a heart attack right then and there. The sales for these rumpy puppets had exploded from 5 – 12 sales a day to well into the hundreds. Dirk could practically cry tears of joy right now, he was so relieved that selling his smuppets actually worked, the sales were steadily rising, he had plenty of smuppets already made (and even then, they were cheap and quick to make) and the money he was earning was escalating that it was ridiculous.

'Oh my god, where's Karkat? I could just kiss that little bugger.' Dirk wandered around the apartment and found the boys in one of their little tussles in the bedroom. The oldest strider broke them apart by scooping them both up and brought them to his chest in a tight hug.

"It's alright boys, everything's fine now." Dirk whispered, even though the boys wouldn't understand what he was yammering on about. Karkat squirmed a bit in the tight hold until he gave up and remained limp, Dave papped his tiny hand on Dirks face and let out a little 'Bro' before wrapping his chubby arms around his guardian's neck to return the hug. Dirk could never be happier than what he was now.

It's crazy how these last few months have been. First it was just himself with his little brother Dave to take care of; all of a sudden Karkat brings himself into their lives when he was found outside the apartment where his Lusus was killed, and from then on their lives got more interesting. Who'd a thought the tiny, grumpy little grub would be the one to help them through the toughest time of Dirks independence. Hell, Dirk could have left that tiny little thing to die with his guardian, but he's glad he took him in.

"Thank you, thank you so much Karkat."

I feel like I'm going to hell for the sex shop thing XD

Well, thank you everyone for the great support throughout this story filled with plot holes and inconsistencies XD all you guys are awesome!

I can't say when I'll start the sequel, so be on the lookout!

So thank you everyone and i hope you've all enjoyed my fic :)