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Flop stands on the balcony of his daughter’s house in Paleto, a lit cigarette in his hand. He takes a long drag of his cigarette as tears fall down his face. Flop saw the Hounds roll out of the northern clubhouse a few minutes ago, a six-stack heading towards the city where Flop knows his husband went to get food. Flop takes another drag, his hand shaking as he lifts the weightless cigarette to his mouth. Images of conversations with his husband on this very balcony flash in his mind, each one making his heart ache more. More images of him and Ziggy in this house flash in his mind. Days spent on the couch, afternoons in the kitchen, nights spent in bed.
The cigarette in Flop’s hand falls as he collapses onto the floor, his heart breaking as he realizes he will never have another moment with his husband in this house. That he will never see his husband alive again. Flop sobs into the wood beneath him, the wood soaking up the tears that fall from Flop’s nose. Flop’s mind replays the conversation they had less than an hour ago, Ziggy’s last words echoing in Flop's mind. I love you. A scream jumps out of his throat as the anguish overwhelms him, his fists pounding the floor. He wraps his arms around his waist, still bent over as he sobs loudly, the sound echoing in the stillness of the world around him.
Flop loses track of time, eventually lying on his side with his arms still wrapped around him, curled in the fetal position. An image of Ziggy’s face flashes in his mind and he closes his eyes, the tears that have yet to escape finally falling. Flop feels the crushing weight of grief pin him to the floor and he decides he never wants to get up. There’s no point. His husband will be dead, if he’s not already. Flop keeps his eyes closed, praying that someone - anyone - will come and put him out of his misery.
Unfortunately for Flop, the only thing that comes is the ringing of his phone. Flop pulls out his phone and sees a number he doesn’t recognize. Flop sighs and answers, not saying a word. On the other end, he hears Dhead’s voice. “Flop. You can find him at the Ranger Station.” The call ends and adrenaline courses through his body, the sudden urge to get to his husband overwhelming every other sense. Flop scrambles to get up, hopping over the balcony and running to his car. Flop throws the car in reverse and speeds towards the Ranger Station, his heart pounding in his chest as he drives. He needs to get to his husband. He needs to see him. He needs to hold him. One last time.
The Ranger Station quickly comes into view and Flop sees Ziggy’s body lying on the grass in front of the building, Flop slamming on the brakes and throwing it into park, not bothering to turn the car off. Flop runs to his husband’s body, a pool of blood soaking into the grass beneath the taller man. Flop kneels beside Ziggy and gently pushes his husband’s body over, gasping as he sees several stab wounds littering Ziggy’s torso. Tears cloud Flop’s vision as he sees blood seeping out of Ziggy’s mouth.
Ziggy’s eyes open and Flop breathes out, “Ziggy,” as a spark of hope ignites in his chest. Ziggy groans and smiles weakly at Flop, his voice raspy as he says, “Hey, honey.” Flop cups Ziggy’s face with both hands. “Hey, honey. I’m gonna call 911, okay? Just don’t go to sleep, Ziggy.” Ziggy shakes his head slowly. “No, honey. They won’t get here in time.” Flop shakes his head, tears falling down his face as he refuses to believe his husband, desperate to save the man he loves. He goes to remove his hand but Ziggy holds it in place, nuzzling into Flop’s hand. “Please, Flop. Just stay with me. Let me have one more moment with the man I love.” Flop does his best to hold back his sobs, smiling as warmly as he can at his husband while tears continue to fall down his face. Flop looks over Ziggy’s injuries and nods slowly, reluctantly accepting his husband is right. More tears fall down his face. “Okay. I can do that.”
Ziggy smiles for a second before his body is wracked with coughs, blood being forced out of Ziggy’s mouth. Ziggy sighs shakily. “I love you, Flop. I love you so much.” Flop nods, rubbing his thumbs over Ziggy’s cheeks. “I love you, too, Ziggy. I love you so fucking much.” Ziggy chuckles. “You have been the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I wouldn’t change anything, Flop.” Flop nods. “Me, either.” Ziggy reaches up, cupping Flop’s face. Flop leans into the touch, more tears falling. “I would do it all again, Flop. Every single part. Even this.” Flop nods, his voice breaking as he says, “Me, too, Ziggy.” Ziggy sighs. “Take care of Rue. Please. Take care of her and take care of yourself.”
Flop nods. “I will. I promise.” Ziggy nods, pulling Flop into a hard kiss, the taste of pennies in Flop’s mouth churning his stomach. Ziggy pulls back and smiles at Flop. “I love you.” Flop feels Ziggy’s head get heavier. “I love you, too.” Ziggy smiles a little wider as his eyes start to dim. Flop watches as the life leaves his husband's eyes, his voice desperate as he yells, “No! Ziggy! Ziggy, please! Don’t leave me!” A sob leaves Flop as he gently sets his husband’s head on the ground. He leans over and presses their foreheads together, his eyes closed tight as he sobs over his husband’s dead body. Flop whispers into Ziggy’s skin, “I can’t do this without you.”
He allows himself a few minutes to grieve before he reluctantly leans back, looking at his husband’s face. Flop gently lowers Ziggy’s eyelids and presses a kiss to both eyes before standing. He wipes his face, Ziggy’s blood smearing on his skin. Flop pulls out his phone and calls 911, giving dispatch enough information to find Ziggy’s body before hanging up. Flop pulls out his gun and checks the chamber, adding a few more bullets before cocking it. A blank expression falls over Flop’s face as he lets his emotions numb into something that feels more clinical. Dangerous. Like a mask slipping into place.
Flop walks to his car and gets in, staring at his husband’s body for a moment before turning the car on and peeling out as sirens blare in the distance. I’ll see you in a minute, honey.