Ah. Well, it's time. We all knew it had to come eventually. I'm getting to the love a little early this time, so here we go! AllTheLovelyBrains, oh, God. I'm God? You. Are. So. Screwed! I love you! The Local Mastermind, ah, I'm excited for Delic's POV too. KoolaidShipping, you lock yourself up to read? THAT IS SO MUCH DEDICATION! I'm glad I have such great company! erihan, it won't be too hard, my dear! I've GOT this! BlueRoseDream, I remember it for real like it was yesterday. Time flies. tsukicchan, make you cry? Alright, well you asked. I'll do it for you! Logic Dive, you and I share the same points of view then! Rai Rai Blue, ahh, I am a tease! My boyfriends? AHAHAHA! I did get in trouble for being a tease. I normally mess with people in public, so they can't do anything about it. I'm so glad we're Facebook friends now! I love you too! nazupii, I really can't answer that, my dear. Just read on! Muziq, I made you cry? YES! Mission accomplished! Shan-Kun, I'm glad you're happy! Kira-Heiwajima, close! I'm tweaking that name a little, but really close! incidentalmusic, you don't even know! I'm really glad you liked it! REALLY GLAD! Quiet. Crash, ahhh, I enjoy creepy. Good guess! Orajima, I love your insane reviews! I'll make it more epic and say, I LOVE YOOOOU! In all caps. LoveAllAnime, it'll all be okay, my love! Crying is part of it! LovelySpiral, I try! darkestlight96, your favorite? Ah, it was up there with mine too. Cael Luciano, HERE'S YOUR UPDATE, YOU HATER! Meh! Maru de Kusanagi, beeeeecauseeeeee~. NighttimeFirefly, I can't wait to write it! Guest, oh, I'm so glad you liked it! I hope you enjoy this one too! Now, I'm really happy you guys stayed with me. We've all been together for almost half a year, can you believe it? This is my most reviewed story ever, and I'm in love with it, as well as all of you. Thank you, truly, for being with me. Now, let's get started with the final chapter of 'When the Crown Falls'. On with the end!

I Will Follow You Into the Dark

(Death Cab for Cutie)

[Love of mine, someday you will die, but I'll be close behind, and I'll follow you into the dark. No blinding light, or tunnels to gates of white, just our hands clasped so tight…waiting for the hint of a spark.]

As soon as I'm alone, it starts.

My deterioration.

My utter despair.

My loss of Delic.

My Delic.

My hero.

My everything.

I stand beside the couch, not sure what I'm supposed to do with myself. Maybe this is a moment of weakness. Maybe it'll pass. Maybe…all I need is more time.

Maybe I can start again.

Maybe give Seiji a chance.

Maybe I'll get Mairu out someday, and she can live with me.

Maybe we'll both miraculously get better, and everything will be okay.

Maybe… Maybe I can learn to be happy again.

Yeah.

And maybe my fingers will randomly fall off my hands.

Sighing, I decide to go check the mail, not sure what else to do with myself. I can't stay in here alone. I can't. I'll do something stupid. I know it.

I'm not sure what I expect. All ever get these days are bills. As bad as it sounds, I haven't really even written Mairu in the state I've been in. Today…

Today is the first time I've allowed myself to feel anything, starting with the anger I felt at Erika earlier. But really, that was only jealousy. Jealousy that Walker is alive, and Delic isn't.

I'm sorry, Erika. I really am.

I open the tiny box with my key, and sort through the mail.

Bills, bills, bills… Mairu.

She sent me a letter. What's it going to say? I can only imagine how upset she must be with me for not writing. The last thing I said to her was that I'd keep in touch, which was when I dropped her off at the hospital.

And then…I went back to Delic…

Shaking my head, I begin my ascent upstairs, eyeing the envelope like I think it'll catch on fire. I mean, really. I wouldn't be surprised if it did.

I deserve it.

As I open the apartment door, I swear, I swear I hear his voice.

"You're late, Chibiya!"

"I'm not late… You're gone…"

"Don't make me worry. Call if you're going to be late."

"Your voice hurts… It hurts…"

"Is everything okay? Did something happen? C'mon, Chibiya, tell me or I won't know!"

"How can you not know…? Delic… Delic…"

There's no response this time, because there never really was. I know that.

But it hurts.

God, it hurts.

I open the envelope as I sit on the couch full of memories.

"Don't sit so far away! Ahaha, I don't bite!"

"Chibiya…"

"I love you…"

Stop it, stop it, stop it…

"Look at me…"

"Stop avoiding the subject!"

"You're such a cover hog! Damn, share with me, it's COLD!"

STOP IT!

Silence. Blessed silence. I look down at the beautiful calligraphy of Mairu, my only true family.

Dear Hibiya,

I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry. I know about Delic and…I can only imagine what you're going through. We both lost everything before, but I know it must be harder to gain it back, then have it ripped from you again. I'm not mad at you for not writing. I know why you haven't… I know you, brother. I know what you want to do. I'm so sorry… So sorry. I realize now that you were always the one hurting. You were always the one trying so hard not to break. And I could've been there for you more. Maybe I never should've looked at it as you playing hero. Maybe I should've tried to be your hero. Brother…what else is there to say? We both made mistakes, and we both ended up where we're at. I know you're scared. Kururi says it's okay. You should listen to her. She knows. I'm not mad for what you want. I just want you to be happy. I don't need you to my hero. Don't worry about me. I like it here, I promise. I'm safe from the world, and it's safe from me. Please…be happy. Please? Just once, I'd like that for you. I love you, Hibiya. I'm sure you know that, but if you didn't, I couldn't live with myself if you didn't. I suppose…this is goodbye. May we meet again. I'll have so much to tell you when we do.

Love always, forever, and ever,

Mairu.

I read the letter many times, just to make sure I read it right. Mairu just…

She knows.

I'm more than positive Walker knew.

Seiji knew.

Who else knows?

Kadota and Saburo are too involved in their own love filled world, so I haven't spoken to them. It hurts too much.

Same for Mikado and Masaomi.

I look over to the end of the couch, where Delic is sitting, looking at me.

"Chibiya…"

"Stop it."

"Why are you mad?"

"You left me. I'm allowed."

"I never left."

"Delic…"

He's gone again, as soon as he came. I'm going insane, on top of everything else. Great.

I have too much to do before I can do what I want.

Standing from the couch, I make my way to the bedroom, where my suitcase is. I put everything important in there, because I think…

I've always known it would come to this.

The rights to Delic's lyrics are in here. Writing the songs was a group effort, but the lyrics were Delic's, and his alone. He left them to me, to protect them.

All the money I have left is in a bank account, and the routing number is in here.

Every stupid note he ever wrote me is in here.

Chibiya,

Went to get more food. How do you not ever want to eat?! Man, you're not human. Love you!

Just little things I couldn't bear to throw away, but now they mean the world to me.

I'm going to do what's right. I'm not going to be so selfish anymore. If I'm going to do this, I'm going to make sure…everything is okay first.

I leave a long note, directing Kadota and Saburo to talk to the lawyer Delic had when he made his will, instructing them to give him this note. It says the lyrics are now theirs.

I know they've been wanting them, and I know they'll honor them, and help carry on his memory.

The money, I split.

Half goes to Mairu, in case she ever wants to give life a try.

Half goes to Erika and Walker, because they're going to need it.

To Mikado and Masaomi, I leave them Delic's guitar picks. They were always asking for them, because they were such huge fans, and most likely wanted to sell them or something.

Really, they're almost as weird as Erika. Yes, Mikado too.

To all of them I say I'm sorry. I say thank you. I say it's not your fault. To Seiji I say I never meant to cause problems.

To Mairu I say forgive me. I say I couldn't do it. I say you were right.

But we all knew that.

There's a paper trail around me when I'm done, and I'm in the middle of it. I have to maneuver carefully to avoid stepping on them.

They're my last message, after all.

The bathroom is my destination, because it's where the medicine cabinet is. Even if I'm scared, it's time.

I can't take one more day of pretending. I can't fake smile. I can't say I'm happy.

I can't… I can't live without Delic.

I take out the bottle of sleeping pills. The only prescription Delic ever took willingly. There's about fifteen left.

More than enough.

I look at my reflection before I exit the bathroom, and all I see is the person I used to be.

Someone downtrodden, weak, useless… Someone who wants to die.

And this time, I'm not waiting for Death to find me. I'm meeting him halfway.

Delic's voice floats around me loosely, barely saying actual words.

I hear my name a few times.

I fall back on the bed, which is also full of memories... Including my darkest one.

Delic heaved through his mouth, his breath loud as he struggled for air. Hibiya was lying loyally against him, fighting back tears at his lover's pain.

"Ah...s-sorry...I know...you're trying...to sleep..." Delic said quietly. Hibiya shook his head.

"N-No. It's fine. I'm awake anyway."

"You've...been up for days...watching me... You're tired..."

"I told you, it's fine."

The blonde sighed, weakly pulling the raven more against him in the blackness of their room.

"Heh... I never thought...I'd have someone beside me...toward the end..."

"Don't you dare talk like that. We have plenty more time together."

Delic smiled, closing his eyes as he nuzzled into the smaller man.

"Ah... You're right..."

It was silent then as the two drifted off, wrapped together under the sheets.

Delic never opened his eyes again.

I pop the cap off the bottle and swallow a few pills as I stare at the ceiling, hoping this works. Praying to whatever God there is.

Because we only pray when we want something.

Please, please, please.

The voice gets louder.

"Chibiya! You have to hear this new song I'm writing! I need my biggest fan's input!"

I smile, taking a few more.

"I'll call you Chibiya."

"You're like a cat."

"A pampered ass cat."

"You're so cute!"

"Please don't tell me you've never had coffee."

Smiling dazedly, I focus on the ceiling, listening to him ramble about everything. I down the rest of the bottle, only focusing on the voice.

Only his voice.

"You're all mine, huh? Say it again."

"What are you doing to me…?"

"Christ, I love you…so much…"

"I love you too…"

"Chibiya…don't do this… There's time to save you…"

"I can't be saved…Delic…"

"Please…"

"Shhh…relax… How do you expect me to live…without you…?"

As I start to feel heavy and sleepy, I roll my head over to Delic's side of the bed.

He's there.

"Chibiya… Chibiya, baby, it's alright…"

"I know…it's all…okay now… You're here…"

"I'm always here… I love you. I love you so much… I'll never leave you…"

My eyes fill with tears again.

"Please…don't… I can't…take it…"

His hands wrap around mine, and I'm shocked that I can feel them.

"I know… I know, it's alright. You... You were there for me, so I'm with you. I'm with you, okay? It's fine."

"Are…you mad…at me…?"

"No, baby. I'm never mad at you."

"Ahhh…good… I was…scared…"

It's hard to breathe.

"Don't be scared. I'm here. I'm right here."

He scoots closer to me, and his arms wrap around me as his lips kiss my temple.

"Delic…"

"Just…close your eyes… It's alright…"

I do as I'm told, and instantly I feel a slight tug, pulling me down almost through the sheets. I still feel Delic around me, and I cling to him as my heart slows down.

"I… want…to…be with you…only…you…"

"I know. I want that too… I just wish…we could've tried it another way…"

"Hah…me too…"

I only want this. I want him to hold me. I want him to love me. I want everything he can give me. I need this.

When I was broken, he put me back together.

When I needed a hero, he wore the cape.

When my crown fell, he dusted it off and placed it back where it belonged.

In my hazy mind, I seek his lips with mine. He obliges, and I mewl as he kisses me for the first time in ages, the edges of darkness washing over me.

"Love…you…God…I love…you…"

"Close your eyes, baby. It's alright."

Everything swirls around into nothing. I feel weightless for the first time in my life. There's no pain, no anything… It's just us.

I open my eyes and look up to see Delic looming over me, his hand outstretched.

"You ready?" he asks.

"We… We're really together…" I say, not sure whether or not this is real.

"Mmm, of course."

I grab his hand, and bury my face in his chest as the colors around us swirl.

"Don't worry, Chibiya. We have all eternity to try again."

And I smile a real smile for the first time in ages, because he's right. We have forever.

And that's all I ever needed.

[If Heaven and Hell decide that they both are satisfied. Illuminate the 'no's' on their vacancy signs. If there's no one beside you, when your soul embarks, then I will follow you into the dark.]

The End~

Sachi: Ah. I know, I know. *sobs* OH GOD IT'S OVER! *dies*

Delic: Damn.

Hibiya: At least we were together.

Delic: Awww, Chibiya's getting sentimental on meeeee~!

Sachi: Once again, I'd like to thank all of you. I hope you all enjoyed the story, and I'm sorry if it wasn't what you thought. I'm going to post the other half of the story soon enough. It will be called, 'When the Music's Over', so keep an eye out for it!

Hibiya: Goodbye!

Delic: See ya soon!

UPDATE: So in case anyone stumbles on this fic and reads it and hates me now, which is cool, let me just add that I was an angsty little fuck and still am and don't want to change the ending, but I WILL say suicide is never the answer. I'm a mess of a human being and I'm still here, even after all the times I didn't wanna be. There's always someone willing to listen and help, and things can always be better. I'm here for anyone who needs to talk. Let's fuck up this world together, one day at a time.

All my love, Sachi.

(p.s. no there won't be a sequel to this, now or never. bless)