#pearpai

Goth sat staring at the rings on his finger. he never imagined that he’d get everything he’d ever wanted. His mom always told him that love always finds a way. He coughed softly shivering slightly; in the kitchen Palette called, “Goth are you okay?” Goth coughed again, “I’m f-fine Palette just cold.” he heard some pots fall down. “Are we playing drums dad?!” Pastel squealed. “Not right now Pastel your mom is not feeling good.” Goth heard small footsteps running up the stairs and the bedroom door open revealing Pastel. “Mom?” Goth smiled at his son. “Dad says you feel bad so I cam to make you better!” Pastel ran over but struggled to get onto the bed; Goth giggled softly. Pastel climbed onto the blanket, “I am victorious!” Goth giggled more. “Yes you are.” Pastel crawled over to his mother and hugged him. 

“I will hug your sickness away!” Goth smiled at him returning the hug weakly. If only you could... He thought sadly snuggling with his son under the blanket. Pastel felt him shivering and jumped up startling Goth who was slowly falling asleep. “You need more blankets!” he climbed off the bed and ran out of the room to the linen closet. “Pastel be careful when you open the...” THUMP! “Door...” Goth got up putting his slippers on; he found Pastel covered in blankets, towels and a few pillows. “Oh Pastel...” He unburied his son picking him up. “Aw bananas...” Pastel sighed. “You can still bury me in blankets.” Pastel’s eye lit up excitedly. “Yay!” Goth used magic and levitated the blankets to Pastel’s bedroom. He set his son down with the blankets and grabbed one, “Let’s build a b-blanket fort!” Pastel cheered. “YAY!” Goth smiled despite being in pain from using his magic. he and Pastel cleared the floor and laid a ground layer. Pastel grabbed a quilt and hung it from the door frame;he has hooks everywhere to hang things. Goth grabbed one and hung it across the headboard of Pastel’s bed. 

Downstairs Palette had finished dinner; he heard a thump from upstairs and Pastel cried,“Daddy!” He ran upstairs to Pastel’s room. he saw the blanket fort and then saw Goth who was unconscious on the floor. “M-mom j-just f-fainted s-suddenly...” Pastel was crying unnerved by Goth fainting suddenly. “Come here bud.” Pastel basically dove into Palette’s arms sobbing softly. “Shh it will be okay bud.” Palette rubbed his back soothingly. Pastel nuzzled closer to him trying to calm down. “Mamma is just sick that’s all.” Pastel looked up at his dad wiping his eyes. “Go on and wash up for dinner.” Pastel nodded going to wash up. Palette picked up Goth carrying him back to their bedroom. “Feel better angel.” Palette tucked him in going downstairs to eat. 

When Goth woke up he groaned; he saw he was in bed and realized he’d fainted again. He heard the door open and saw Pastel, “Mamma!” he ran over to him and hugged Goth. “I l-love you t-too.” Goth nuzzled his skull. Goth grabbed a story book and pulled Pastel onto the bed. “there once was a fluffy bunny..” Half way through the story Pastel fell asleep; Palette came upstairs and saw this. He put Pastel to bed in his blanket fort. He returned and found Goth crying. “Hun” He wrapped his arms around his husband.  “Shh” Palette nuzzled his skull gently getting up; he left and returned with a plate. “Figured you might be hungry.” Goth smiled taking the plate; he ate his dinner smiling at how good his husband can cook. “That was r-really good.” Palette blushed taking the plate back downstairs to be washed. he came back and slipped into bed beside Goth pulling him closer. 

Goth snuggled closer to him shivering a bit. “Goth are you okay? You seem kinda off lately...” Palette said. Goth smiled weakly; he hates lying to Palette but.. “Yea it’s j-just a bug...” Palette raised a brow. “Goth...:please don’t lie to me...” Goth teared up burying his face in Palette’s chest; sobs shook his small frame. Palette held him close, “Shh Goth don’t cry...” Goth continued to cry; he wasn’t ready...he wanted to see their son grow up...he wanted to grow old with Palette...to die together... Palette rocked him gently humming a song he liked. Goth slowly calmed down still crying but not as hard. Palette rubbed the tears off his cheeks. “My poor angel...” Goth leaned up and kissed him gently laying his head on Palette’s chest again. Palette blushed and kissed Goth deeply. “I love you~” he cooed making Goth flush. “Love y-you too Palette.” Goth slowly nodded off cuddling with his husband. Palette kissed his skull slowly falling asleep himself. 

The next day Palette got up to get Pastel on the bus for school; when he came back Goth was still asleep and hadn’t moved an inch. “Gothy time to wake up. i made pancakes.” Goth didn't respond or move; Palette shook him gently feeling how cold he is. He teared up, “N-no Gothy...” He hugged Goth close to him crying. “P-please don’t...leave me.......”  When Goth woke up he felt Palette hugging him and that his face is wet. he opened his sockets rubbing his eyes; he saw Palette is crying. “P-Palette what’s w-wrong?” He asked. Palette’s head turned and he leaned down kissing Goth. Goth blushed but kissed back pulling away only to be hugged against Palette’s shoulder. “I t-thought...you died!” Palette sobbed. “D-Died oh...Palette no...” Goth hugged his husband tighter. “Y-you didn’t respond to m-me shaking you...or to my voice...” Palette sniffled. “I w-was so s-scared!” Goth pulled back from the hug and kissed Palette. “I’m o-okay Palette p-please don’t cry.” Palette rubbed his eyes. “I j-just have a hard time waking up sometimes...I sleep like...my dad I guess?” Palette laughed softly nuzzling his face. Goth smiled shivering a bit without his robe. “Here” Palette wrapped the fuzzy bathrobe around his shoulders. 

Goth zippered it up, “T-thanks” Palette smiled, “Now I made pancakes that have your name on them.” “Pancakes!” Goth ran out of the room his eye lit up with excitement. Palette chuckled at his childishness. Goth was eating downstairs; Palette smiled seeing Goth so energetic. Goth finished eating and went to wash the dishes. Palette went upstairs to paint a bit knowing Goth can handle himself. About an hour later Palette had finished the painting his customer ordered as a commission. It was VERY quiet in the house...TOO quiet! Palette ran downstairs his paint covered smock still on; he found Goth was asleep on the couch a movie playing on the TV screen. “P-Pal... what is it?” Goth yawned having heard Palette run downstairs. “You were being really quiet...I g-guess I’m just nervous after this morning..” he blushed sheepishly. “S-sorry to scare you...” Goth looked away. “Aww hun please don’t be sad.” Palette pulled his smock off and hugged Goth, “I worry because I love you.” Goth nuzzled into his husband’s chest he took a breath... “Palette...I...” 

Goth was about to tell Palette the truth when he started to cough. Palette jolted startled; Goth continued to cough the harsh expulsions shaking his thin frame. Palette ran an d got him a glass of water setting it on the table he gently rocked Goth trying to help him through his sudden coughing fit. Goth whimpered in pain the coughs burning his throat. Palette rubbed his back and tried to get Goth to sip the water; Goth managed a few sips before dissolving back into a coughing fit. Palette grew really worried. “Goth breathe...please..” Goth whimpered, “I’m *cough* t-trying *cough*!” Palette breathed a sigh of relief when Goth finally stopped coughing slumping against his chest panting in gulps of air greedily. Palette gave Goth the rest of the glass of water to soothe his throat. Goth sighed shakily snuggling closer to Palette seeking comfort and warmth. Palette wrapped a blanket around him and kissed his skull.  Palette is now worried about his husband’s health. Even when Goth caught colds it was never THAT bad. 

He sat there cuddling Goth who shifted every now and then mumbling. Palette looked at him seeing no sign of a fever; his nose isn't running...why then? After an hour of cuddling palette looked at Goth and asked him quietly, “Goth are you okay? Please tell me the truth...” Worry shone in his star shaped eyes. Goth looked at him and was about to say something when his stomach turned over; he got up running to the bathroom. He threw up in the toilet wincing when he saw blood. He heaved a few times and wiped his mouth with a tissue flushing it down the toilet with the bloody vomit. He stood shakily and stared at his reflection in the mirror; he has dark circles and his face is more sunken. he whimpered softly, “I’m n-not ready dad...” he whispered. Goth shivered and looked away from the mirror walking slowly back to the living room. he stopped and got a glass of water gulping it down. Palette came into the kitchen wrapping his arms around Goth’s waist. “What were you going to say..?” Goth took I breath., “I was trying to tell you t..h..a...t...I..m...” Goth blinked and collapsed. Palette caught him.  “Oh my god!” 

He gently shook Goth scared out of his mind; Goth whimpered but remained unconscious. “C’mon Goth...” Palette begged tears in his sockets. Goth shivered in his arms sweat appearing on his skull. Palette walked over to the couch trembling himself; he grabbed his phone and shakily dialed His uncle’s number putting the phone on speaker, “What do you want Cr...oh Palette...” “Uncle Nightmare are you busy?” “No” “Could you get Pastel from school please?” “I suppose. Are you okay?” “Not really...” “Well I’ll look after my nephew until you feel sane enough to do so.” “T-thank you...” “It’s not like you ask for favors often. I’ll call if anything happens.” “Thanks again uncle Nightmare...” “Sure..” Palette waited until Nightmare hung up before dialing his mom’s number. “Hello?” “M-mom I’m scared...” 

Dream jolted, “Honey what’s wrong?” “M-mom something is wrong with Goth...I d-d-on’t know what to d-do...” Dream had never heard Palette that upset before. “What is wrong with him? Is he sick?” Dream pressed. “I d-don’t know! he just...collapsed...he was throwing up and coughing before...m-mon what do I d-do?!” Dream held his phone against his ear, “S-stay put...Your dad and I will be there soon!” palette nodded his voice shaking as he started to cry, “O-Okay mom.” Dream hung up and teleported to the Doodle Sphere. “INK!” He yelled. Ink jumped, “Dream what’s going on?!” “Palette called and something is wrong with Goth...” Ink jumped up startling Error who was asleep beside him. “Nnggh?” He said confused. Ink looked at his husband apologetically. “Sorry hun” Error sat up. “WHaT’s GoInG oN?” he asked sleepily. “He said Goth had a coughing fit...then threw up and then he just collapsed and stop responding..” Dream said. Ink’s eyes shifted shaped with worry. “We need to find Geno and Reaper.” Error was fully awake now, “THeY’rE in OUtErTaLe oN a dAtE.” Error told them. “Let’s go!” Ink stumbled trying to lift his brush, “EaSy InK...” Error braced him. “YoU cArRy eXtRa WeIgHt nOw...” Ink blushed.

Error carefully opened a portal to Outertale. Ink and the others walked through the glicthy portal shutting behind them. Error held onto Ink’s hand as they walked making Ink’s whole face a rainbow. Dream ran ahead finding the afterdeath couple stargazing. “Geno!” Geno turned and saw Dream running towards them. “Dream what’s wrong?” He asked. Dream looked upset. Reaper looked away knowing the time had come. Oh no...I’m not ready to lose him yet... Reaper thought. Error had already opened a portal to the house. They all walked in seeing Palette hugging Goth who was semi-conscious. “Mom!” Dream ran to his son hugging him. “M-mom...” Palette was trembling. “Set him onto the couch.” Ink said. “Okay...” Palette rested Goth on the couch. Geno went to his son hugging him gently. “Mamma...” Goth whimpered. “I’m here Goth..”  Goth coughed harshly whimpering because it hurt his throat. Palette was crying into Dream’s shoulder shaking. Reaper walked over looking at his son sadly; Goth smiled sadly, “Time?” he whispered. “Time.” Reaper agreed sadly. “I’m n-not ready...” Goth looked away teary eyed. “No one is ever ready..”  Geno looked at them, “Ready for what?” Goth hugged his mom and smiled, “Palette...” Palette ran to him, “What is it?” Goth smiled sadly, I love you..keep these safe...” He pulled off the rings. Reaper sighed not liking that everyone had to witness this...but Goth was too weak to move without collapsing again. 

“wHY dId YoU GivE hIm yOur rInGs?” Error asked. Goth leaned up and kissed Palette whispering, “Through good times and bad, sickness and health, all the days of my life.....” Palette looked confused for a moment then it clicked and tears ran down his face heavily, “N-No...” Goth nodded coughing again this time blood dripped down his chin. It hurt so much to force his soul to remain intact. “T-take care of Pastel...”  “I c-can’t lose you..” Palette sobbed. “B-but I can’t stay...” Goth wheezed. Reaper looked at his son and gave Error a look that said to restrain Geno. Error nodded and walked over to Geno holding him still. “Error what are you..?” Geno was confused; Error pulled him back. Reaper looked at Goth, “Ready?” Goth closed his eyes and whispered, “As ready as one can b-be...” 

Reaper summoned his scythe. “Reaper what are you doing?!” Geno cried struggling in Error’s grasp. Goth leaned up to Palette giving him one last kiss, “I l-love you Palette.” “No take me instead...please..” Palette sobbed. “That’s not how it works...not this time...” Reaper hugged his son goodbye and lifted his scythe. “K-keep my family safe...won’t you dad?” Goth asked quietly. “O-of course...” Reaper steadied his hand tears going down his cheeks; the scythe came down. “R-rest in peace son...you will be m-missed.” Reaper collapsed to his knees. he had to reap his own kid...he began to sob. Error let Geno go and went to comfort Ink who was crying. 

Geno hit his hands against Reaper’s chest a few times before collapsing in tears, “W-why?” he sobbed. “It h-had to b-be done..” Reaper replied his voice heavy with grief. “He was dying slowly after Pastel was born...his soul was failing...” Geno stared at him shocked, “I d-didn’t know how to tell you t-that...” Geno hugged his husband, “I’’m s-so s-sorry Geno...” Reaper sobbed. Geno sniffled holding his husband close. “I t-tied to give him as l-long as possible...” 

Geno looked at him, “I k-know you did..” Palette was sobbing into his hands holding the rings he put on Goth’s finger ten years ago.

“Through good times and bad...sickness and health...all the days of m-my life...”