The funeral was held on a Sunday.
The sun shone brighter than on any day that summer, yet the grass still smelled like the rain from the night before.
It glistened as the once twelve walked over it; solemnly they walked single file, refusing to make eye contact, a red rose clutched in every hand. Except for Tavros he rolled behind them all, his rose rested in his lap; his eyes locked on the cloudless sky and the canopy of trees that cast long shadows over the graveyard in the early morning.
Slowly they all gathered around the mahogany casket, silent except for Feferi, who sobbed almost uncontrollably; hiccupping lightly between sobs as she held her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle the sounds she made.
Gamzee lingered to the side, glancing at Tavros, who still stared at the sky instead of the casket and the people around him. The others almost huddled together, taking support from each other in the only way friends could in this situation.
The group only wore black; even Terezi adorned a long black dress and veil in memory of him. They all knew that Eridan would want the most dramatic and picturesque funeral. Everyone in black, the wind blowing lightly through the trees and silence through the world.
It was Vriska who walked forward first, a red rose clutched tightly in her unslung hand; slowly she placed the rose on the coffin and began to speak.
"You were stupid. You were so fucking stupid." Tears slowly ran down her cheeks as she spoke each word through gritted teeth," I thought you were so cool. I wanted you so bad. I needed you. I needed to hate you, but there isn't a word for that is there….not even love fit what I felt for you. I didn't know how to handle you. You needed me to acknowledge you….all you did was beg me to stay…you were perfect….and I set your car on fire…" She let out a strangled laugh as the tears rolled faster down her cheeks," I'm sorry Eridan. I didn't want you to go out like this. All I wanted…I…I don't know what I wanted for us…Well…I guess now I don't have to make that decision do I? Thanks…I guess…" She said bitterly as she stepped back into the crowd.
There was silence again, except now not only Feferi was crying; she was joined by the sobs of Nepeta and Vriska.
Sollux was next. He walked forward and set the rose on the coffin, chewing his lip the whole way, fighting back the tears as he walked. Slowly the blonde pressed his hands to the coffin; he shook as he leaned, trying to keep himself from falling over," I take back everything. You were wonderful. Funny. Creative. You jutht needed uth to give you a chance….and we failed. I failed." Sollux straightened up, trying to stay as strong as possible, but his emotions failed him as tears fell onto his black sweater vest.
Silence once more.
Aradia walked up next; she placed her rose and turned away, leaving the graveyard completely. She never said a thing; she just stared forward like she always did.
Nepeta watched her go, and then approached the coffin herself, putting her rose with the others," you laughed at my cat puns. You took the time to realize they were funny. I'm sorry I told you to go away. You were always nice….just clingy….but nice." She hiccupped and turned to go to Equius, but he was already there behind her, leaning forward to place the rose on hers," I mistook your advances on Nepeta. You just wanted a friend. You were strong at heart. Weak in body. I admired you for that." He then put a hand on Nepeta's shoulder and went back to the circle.
Kanaya pursed her lips and almost drifted up to the coffin. She looked down at the bundle of roses with an almost disdainful look. Her expression softened though when a single tear ran down her long elegant nose," I hated your fashion sense. But even you gave me tips on hair." She smiled a little and went back to comfort Vriska.
Terezi blinked a little and after hearing no one move, she tapped forward till her stick hit the coffin. She stopped and reached out a delicate hand as she felt where to put her rose. Once it was safe with the others she grinned down at the coffin," everything happens for a reason. But this even to me wasn't fair. You didn't deserve this. Thanks though. For that time…" Her smile faded a little as she felt the sadness of the others hit her like a wave," that time…you told me that my painting in art class was beautiful…that time when you told me that my use of colors was wise because they complimented each other perfectly…." She swallowed and turned; Vriska actually reached out and led her back to her spot.
Karkat glowered at the ground as he approached the coffin next," hey…I…guess I never really talked to you. I told you to fuck off. But….we did have that fun conversation over that dumb web game we played together….ha….you wouldn't fucking stop…..you wouldn't stop killing those fucking angels. THEY DIDN'T EVEN GIVE YOU ANY EXPERIENCE YOU ASS!" Karkat snarled through a sob," YOU FUCKING DUMB ASS YOU WOULDN'T LISTEN TO ME! I just wanted you to play the fucking game right….you probably did it to piss me off…." Karkat shook his head and went back to lean on Sollux.
Gamzee kept an eye on Karkat as he walked up to the coffin and almost tossed his rose onto the others. He bit the inside of his cheek and sniffed. His clown makeup was already streaked with tears; he wasn't going to streak it anymore, not now. Not when the others were watching. So he turned without a word and stood next to Karkat.
Feferi was next, because Tavros was too caught up in a cloud that drifted across the sun, temporarily casting a shadow across the casket.
The usually chipper girl walked forward and tucked her rose in with the others," Eridan….Eridan I'm so sorry….I love you so much….I didn't mean it…I wish you were hear….I want you here next to me….I didn't actually want you to leave…I'm so sorry…..I didn't mean it…I didn't mean it I swear….." Feferi said almost incoherently through her sobs. Kanaya had to reach forward and pull her back, hushing her and rubbing her back.
Tavros blinked and lowered his eyes to the casket, finally rolling forward. He reached up and set his rose with the rest and spoke," life is really fragile….you know a guy one day then he's gone…you and me…we uh…didn't really know each other…but I knew you. You um…seemed really confident from afar….I…I uh…kinda wanted to be like you….not dead…but um…you know what I mean. I just really wish I'd talked to you….cuz uh…I really liked you….but yeah…" Tavros lowered his head a little and started to roll away from the funeral, he didn't like being around so many sad people.
At the edge of the graveyard, near the road, a man sat in a limo; smoke billowed out the window. He looked almost identical to the boy in the casket, except for the two thin scars that carved their way across the man's gaunt face. When he saw everyone starting to disperse, he motioned to the driver, and took off into the morning; flicking his cigarette into the moist grass he rolled the window up and rested his head in his hands, trying hardest not to cry for his late son.