A/N: Hi everybody! This piece was originally for a writing forum, I adapted it a bit, and voila! :P Feel free to throw any of our beautiful greasers in the guy's position. I think anyone works in some way. Y'know..except Dal and Johnny... :'( But either way, hope y'all like it! :)
Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders. I own a copy of the book and movie...but that's it...
Flight 21
She sobs, reaching out to him like a small child missing their parent. He pulls the frail, shaking form in. She clutches at the uniform beneath her, burning tears scorching down her cheeks and into the taut fabric.
"I'll be all right. Okay? I'll come back home and it'll all be fine." He coos, rubbing her back.
She looks up at him through teary eyes, a small smile playing its way on, "You promise?"
He grins back despite the circumstances, nodding. His throat closes up and tears well, "Of course I do."
She traps him in a hug- this time firm, hopeful. He returns it with just as much strength, hating having to give such an empty promise.
"I wish you didn't have to go." She mumbles into the expanse of his chest, her voice muffled by the cotton.
He blinks back threatening tears, placing his chin on her head.
"Will all passengers on Flight 21 please board the plane. We will be taking off in twenty minutes. I repeat- all passengers on Flight 21 please board the plane." The loudspeaker booms- noise overtaking the airport- as a last minute gush of boarders arrive at their designated stations.
She suddenly grips onto him tightly, shaking once more. He pulls her away, tilting her chin up to face him.
"Just remember." He kisses her forehead gently, picking up his bags.
"I love you." She murmurs, tears freely streaming.
"Ditto." He smiles, running his thumb along her cheek.
Turning around slowly, he walks off- an American flag gallantly waving from the window. He gives a small salute, a single tear escaping and rolling down the side of his face. With a final glance back at her, he heads down the hall to the merciless battlefield.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO oOoOoOoOoOoOo
She stands above the rock in one of his old Elvis shirts, rain pattering against the ground. Thunder rumbles in the distances and she flinches back, engulfed by the comforting material that he loved so much. In her hand, she holds a yellow rose- just like the one he proposed to her with- adding life to the gloomy night. Her tears still fall- silently sliding through the darkness. She places the flower onto the damp ground, protected by a small alcove in the stone. Kissing it gently, she leans back on her heels; gazing over the words she'd never thought she'd have to endure seeing.
"You didn't remember." She whispers, her breath creating a hazy cloud, "You promised."
Letting out a choked sob, she batters at the ground, defeated. His smell wreathes around her as she curls up beside the grave. Crying herself to sleep, she drifts off alongside her fallen angel, his memory plaguing her dreams.