Tavros didn't really walk straight for a week, and didn't really speak for two. He felt betrayed. Gamzee had broken his promise and left, like he did when they had first kissed. Though no matter the pain Tavros was going through, he still felt a need to find Gamzee and tell him that he loved him. Simply because well, he did, and for the fact that Gamzee was probably hurting even more about this than he was.

He was even quiet around Rosa. Luckily though, Rosa picked up on what was the matter immediately. She had sat Tavros down and told him that if she ever saw that boy again, she'd personally tie him down and violate him with one of her quills. Tavros really didn't want to see that so he tried not to look for Gamzee during the duration of his absence. He figured it'd just be easier if Gamzee came to him when he was ready. It was also nice to have some time to himself after all the chaos that had recently occurred.

The winter Season passed with nary a letter from Gamzee. The snow melted and the cold was replaced with the chill of spring. The snow was replaced by rainstorms and Rosa's coat was returned to its owner. Soon Tavros didn't have to worry about being too cold, and had simply taken to wearing a long sleeved shirt under his t-shirts. He liked the style and it was a lot cozier in the slight chill.

Tavros was happy. He liked the little bursts of sunlight and the newly blooming flowers. Spring had to be his favorite season. Everything was new. Whenever it rolled around he felt better. Rejuvenated. He also loved spring for the fact that every time it rolled around, he got to help Rosa clean out the bookstore and have a big sale.

People from all around the city came to buy Rosa's re-illuminated texts and the other treasures she hid away in the musty store. Well, no longer musty. The two would clean the store as best they could. The must was replaced by a clean flowery smell. That never lasted very long though. The second the sale was over and all the books went back on their shelves, the must returned. The two didn't care though. They loved the smell of old books.

All good things have to draw to a close though, as the rain got worse, the outside book sale ended and the store went back to normal. Tavros didn't mind though, he was happy with the store no matter what event came and went. So as Tavros closed the store after a good sale day, he smiled. After weeks of a silent, sad face. A familiar smile stretched its way across Tavros' freckled cheeks. He even giggled a little as he locked the front door. Once the store was shut good and tight, he turned around and started to walk off down the dark street, lightly sparkled with newly fallen rain.

Tavros shivered a little though as the rain started coming down harder. The more he walked, the harder it came down. Eventually pouring down on him in big fat drops, soaking and chilling him to the bone. As he walked though, he didn't notice the shadow he had. Cast by the streak lights and blurred by the rain.

Gamzee. Almost a shell of who he was followed close behind. Watching the boy with sunken dark eyes. His face muddled by the face paint running down it. He looked as if he was beaten up in the past few days. He wore no jacket, he did however, sport a bandaged arm, a limp, a bruised neck, a swollen lip and a black eye. Even in his state though he followed Tavros close, taking a good long look at what might have been. What could have happened? What could have been his if he wasn't stupid? That didn't matter though. He could never make up to Tavros what he had done to him. He felt filthy. He deserved no one. Especially Tavros.

He still followed though, almost wishing Tavros would turn around and see him. Run to him. Tell him it will all be ok and that he forgave him. That…would…Gamzee shook his head and just limped after the smaller teen. Praying he didn't turn around. Though the harder Gamzee prayed, the less he paid attention. Thus slamming his bum leg into a trash can, cussing as it clattered to the ground. He looked down for a second, but snapped his head back up to see if he had heard.

He did.

Their eyes met for a second, but Gamzee turned and began to run as fast as he could, not a word escaping his lips that wanted to scream how much he loved him at Tavros.

Tavros' mouth dropped open and he took off after the other male, calling out to him desperately. He begged the lanky boy to stop. He yelled that they needed to talk. He yelled and yelled but Gamzee didn't slow. He continued to run for dear life from the smaller male.

Tavros was close behind though, keeping Gamzee in site the whole time, calling out desperate pleas, trying to get the other to slow down.

He didn't though. Still he refused to turn and face the beautiful boy he broke. The kid he took into his arms and hurt. Every step hurt Gamzee more and more as Tavros begged him to stop. Gamzee wanted nothing more than to stop and embrace the other. He wanted to tell him everything that had happened. Everything he wanted to happen. Everything he regretted. He wanted to beg forgiveness and offer love in return. He wanted to say everything he had done to Tavros and everyone around him. He wanted to scream his lies to the sky and let the rain wash away everything he had done. The man he had become.

What Gamzee didn't know though was that Tavros was ready and willing to take him back in a heartbeat. He would help Gamzee erase himself and replace the lies with hope and truth. He would let him stay as long as he'd want. He'd help him get a job, go to school, clean up. It hurt him more and more every time Gamzee took another step away from him. It hurt him to the point where his tears stung his eyes and blurred the world around him.

So much so, that Tavros was unaware to the world around him. He ran blindly forward. Trusting the man he was chasing with everything. His direction. His safety. His life.

What happened next didn't register in Tavros' mind until hours after it happened.