Another fanfiction of mine from an old notebook that I found when rummaging through my stuff.
"Hi, Darwin.
Sorry I haven't written for so long. Things have been hectic at work but today's the 44th anniversary since the day we first met so I finally found some time to write you a letter.
44 years, such a long period, though it feels like just yesterday we were kids living in that blue house and going to school. And yet, I'm looking at the calendar and realize it's been more than four decades since I first heard a little orange fish speak up.
Do you remember when we were little and wanted to grow up so desperately? We were so funny back then, trying on adults' clothes, practicing to speak like grown-ups, trying to find a job. We were anticipating the day when we'd be able to make our own decisions and not have to go to bed early. We used to share our ridiculous plans for the future with each other at night, whispering in the dark with excitement and trepidation that mom would walk in on us and get angry… Do you remember?
Do you remember how excited we were about summer breaks and winter holidays? It meant that we'd have some freedom from school for a while, and we used that freedom as much as we only could. We would play hundreds of games and when we got bored of them, we would come up with some new ones. Our imagination was the only limit and it was inexhaustible; we could be whoever we wanted to, and we were. We were pirates in the sea, and Tarzans in the jungle, and princes, and knights, and astronauts. Board games were so much fun, too, and the world seemed full of joys and opportunities. Do you remember?
Oh, oh, do you remember school, Darwin? We played pranks on our teachers and classmates even though we knew we'd be punished later, and we laughed so hard I swear I could die. We invented a ton of new methods to cheat on a test. We visited the principal's office more often than we went to the bathroom, and we exchanged notes furtively during Ms. Simian's boring classes. We never failed to make up new excuses for being late for school. We were oblivious, nonchalant, and happy… do you remember that, Darwin?
Do you remember how we supported each other? How we were always willing to come to the other's rescue, to hug, to placate, to try to understand. No matter what happened, I knew I could always count on you, and I knew you knew the same about me. We couldn't stay apart for too long and forgave each other for everything because after all, we all made mistakes… Do you remember?
Just today, I thumbed through the album I've been keeping all these years. In those pictures, we're still kids and we look so happy to be alive. And wherever I'm in the photo, you're by my side. We're together in each picture: on the seesaw, on the beach, playing video games, helping mom—two inseparable brothers. You've always been my best friend, Darwin, and no matter what, you always will be. I promise.
Your older brother & best friend forever
Gumball"
The sun was dipping behind the horizon, its apricot-colored rays lighting up Gumball's wizened face. It set every day in the evening only to revive and rise the next morning, indifferent to people's woes. Every day, time rewound back for it so it could begin everything anew. Too bad he couldn't do that.
"You know, Darwin, I'd give up everything just to be able to become a kid again," Gumball said in a pensive voice, letting the sun paint his cheeks bright orange. "Being an adult sucks."
He looked down at his watch. It was almost the time to pick the twins up from karate unless he wanted to witness Penny's fury, and he did not. He crouched, the yellowish envelope between his beginning-to-wrinkle fingers, and put it down, keeping his hand on it for some time as if he wanted it to absorb the ebbing warmth of his body.
Finally, he got up and, before slowly turning away to leave the cemetery, he smiled at the grave one last time.
He remembered.