It was raining, just like the whole world was crying. It had been a long time coming. I knew he would die but eternity wouldn't have prepared me for it. Nothing could have.

As I held his hand, I couldn't stop him from slipping away and I couldn't beg him to stay either. He was going to die. I had to accept it.

"I've had a good life, Haven't I?" He whispered, the rain almost drowning it out.

"Of course you have."

"I feel like I could have done more."

"You've done it all."

He managed to look at at me and smile. "I guess you would know, huh? You've been with me all this time."

"Of course," I smiled even though I wanted to cry. "I'll stay with you until the very end."

"I know you will," He said, his smile wavering a bit. "And looks like the end is coming earlier than expected and here you are, young as the day we first met."

"Yes..." I still smiled but I could feel his hand loosening. "I promised you i'd be here. The same face and everything but it's me like always."

"Always, huh?" He seemed to mull over the concept in his head. "What will you do when I'm gone?"

"Why would you ask me that now?"

"Because I would like to know before I go."

My face probably looked pained as I thought about it myself. I've had years and years to figure it out but now that it was time to make my decision, I still didn't have a clue. "I don't know..."

"Is that so..." He turned his gaze to the window. "Well, for someone like you who has all the time he needs, I just hope you never lose that smile." After coming to terms with the fact he would never feel the rain again, he turned back. "But never pretend you're always okay. Let yourself feel sad like you have now."

Tears ran down my face. I couldn't hold it in anymore. He was dying and all he was talking about was how he wanted me to smile. It hurt but also made me happy. "I-I will!"

His soft expression soothed my heart. "It will be okay, Ridge. Never forget all I've taught you. Never forget the time we've shared."

"I'll never forget!" I exclaimed, holding his hand as tight as I could. "I love you, Xephos!"

The last grin he would ever make crossed his face, "And I love you."

He closed his eyes and I waited beside him with tears streaming down my face. I would stay until he took his last breath. Until the very end.

A/N: I'm writing a lot at the moment. Let's see how long that lasts. From this prompt: "Capture the day Xephos finally passes on, an old man in his bed with Ridge, still as young as ever, holding his hand beside him."