A/N: My amazing readers, this is the last chapter of this story. However, it doesn't end here. We will be seeing what comes next for the Curtis brothers and the gang in the next story. Unsure of the title, so keep a lookout for it! Thank you all for your amazing support, could not have done it without you!
The day had arrived. It was the day everyone was dreading to come. It was Ponyboy's funeral. It was time for the gang to say their final goodbyes. It was time for Darry and Sodapop to say their final goodbyes to their little brother. Everyone was having mixed feelings of not wanting to go, but wanting it to already be done and over with.
At the Curtis house, Darry and Soda were in their own rooms, getting dressed in their best clothes. Soda was still spending nights in his old room. He hadn't been back in the bedroom across the hall, the bedroom he shared with Pony. He had Steve go in there and grab the rest of his clothes, so there wouldn't be a reason for him to go back in. He just couldn't bare it. Darry checked himself over and over again. He didn't plan to leave his bedroom until Soda was ready. He didn't want to bother him about being ready, or make him feel rushed and on edge before they even got to the truck.
Steve was downstairs in the living room. He brought clothes from his house the night before, so he could just shower and dress that morning. He hadn't seen Darry or Soda yet, and he wasn't about to go upstairs and check in on them. He knew they'd be down, soon. Steve was still frustrated from his doctor's appointment. Two-Bit made sure he had taken his medication the past couple of nights. The eerie feeling of what the pills could have done to his best friend still haunted Steve. All he could think about was what if he had never given Soda a pill to help him sleep in the first place? What if Soda never knew about his disorder? Soda wouldn't have thought of such an easy plan to rid his life. Unfortunately, Steve was still feeling the physical side effects of not being consistent with his pills. He hoped it would go away soon if he got back on track with them.
At the Mathews house was Two-Bit, Dally, and Johnny. As expected, they didn't have much nice things to wear, but they didn't have nice things to wear to Mr. and Mrs. Curtis' funeral either. Couldn't expect much different from that side of town. Two-Bit hadn't told anyone what was going on with Steve. Everyone was too concerned about Darry and Soda, and rightfully so. Two-Bit knew Steve was already taking on too much, and was putting his health in jeopardy, so he made the ultimate decision to get himself involved in keeping Steve on his feet. He knew Steve wouldn't want anyone else to worry about him anyway.
Dally and Johnny were outside smoking, waiting for Two-Bit to be ready to leave. They weren't talking. Neither of them had the energy to say anything. There was nothing to say. They didn't sleep well at Two-Bit's the night before. Johnny wasn't ready to say goodbye to his best friend. He wasn't ready to begin his life without him. He wasn't ready for this funeral service.
No one seemed to know for sure how Dally was feeling. They all knew he cared and was feeling the pain, but he wasn't showing it. He wasn't talking to anyone about it. He was focused on Johnny and only Johnny. If he could keep his focus on Johnny Cade, he could stay numb about everything else.
The gang all met at the church. There was more people there than Soda expected. There were some family members, and then a lot of greasers were filing in to pay their respects. They didn't really invite a lot of people, but they couldn't be surprised the news got around town. It meant a lot to Darry and Soda to see how many on their side of town cared, decided to show up, and were ready to be there for them.
Darry and Soda sat in the front. Steve, Two-Bit, Dally, and Johnny sat right behind them. None of them were crying. None of them were saying anything. They all refused to look towards the casket. They looked right up at the pastor and tried focusing on his words instead. They all just wanted to get through this fast.
At one point, Soda found his eyes slowly gazing towards the casket. He got a glimpse of his little brother's hair and his heart jumped to his throat. He quickly grasped Darry's hand and squeezed it tight. He couldn't get the lump to go away. He couldn't tell if he was going to cry or vomit or yell. Darry didn't look down at Soda, just gave a returning squeeze. He felt Soda's head weigh against his shoulder. He felt the little shakes. He knew Soda was beginning to cry against him. For Darry's own sake, he had to keep from looking at Soda to keep it together.
"Just hang tight," Darry leaned in and whispered, still keeping his eye on the pastor in front of him.
Steve watched as Soda turned his head and looked at him. His pleading eyes gave Steve the hint to lean forward. Soda barely said above a whisper that he needed to get away. Steve didn't waste any time as he nodded towards a side door and shuffled out of his row. Soda began hurrying along with him. They quietly exited and were in the hall alone. Soda lost it there. He began bawling and hyperventilating. He paced the hall, grabbed his hair, pulled on it, and yelled through his cries. Steve stood there, leaning against the wall, staying silent. He knew there wasn't anything he could do or say. He just had to simply be there. He had to be right there.
It was time for Darry to speak. He slowly stood up and walked up to the front. He knew Soda was still in the hall, but he didn't worry about it. He wasn't going to force Soda back in if it wasn't time. As Darry looked at the crowd before him, he was surprised to see the seats full, and then some standing around. There was a lot of support, and he felt very grateful for the friends and town he was a part of. It wasn't going to heal any wounds, but he still felt thankful for what he was getting.
"Hi everyone," Darry cleared his throat, "First off, thanks to everyone for coming. I'm surprised at the turn out, but I guess I shouldn't be, because we are all really one big family here in Tulsa. I...don't have much to say honestly. I just can't believe the cards I've been dealt with in my life. My parents are gone and now for some reason my youngest brother. All I really wanted to say out loud was the last thing he told me was he wanted me to do something for myself. I don't know what to do for myself and I don't know what comes next for me and Soda, but I guess I need to try and promise Ponyboy that I will do that." Darry looked down at Ponyboy's body next to him. He felt the tears come to his eyes. The thought didn't even cross his mind that he should try and do what Pony told him to do. The words just spilled out of his mouth right there. "I promise Ponyboy, for you, I will find something for me. I love you."
Nothing else could be said. Darry got too choked up and had to get back to his seat.
"I-Im sorry, that's all I...I can..." Darry put a hand up, excusing himself back down to his seat, where he let the tears fall.
When Soda felt his energy drain, he slammed against the wall and slid down to the floor. His face was red and tears stained his cheeks. His eyes were puffy and tired. He looked up and saw Steve standing there, just waiting.
Wiping at his eyes, Soda glanced at the door that they had come out through. "I need to go back in there."
With that, Steve walked over and held out his hand. As Soda grabbed on, Steve helped him to his feet and they walked back in. Soda saw his older brother crying, shoulders trembling, head hanging low. Steve put a hand on Soda's shoulder, but he waved it off and walked up to the pastor. He froze, unable to speak.
"Would you like to say something?" he asked with a small smile.
"Y-Yes," Soda replied, "Please."
"Of course."
Soda centered himself in front of everyone. He glanced down and saw Darry look up, struggling to compose himself. He saw Steve taking a seat next to Darry, placing a hand on his knee. Two-Bit had his hand on Darry's shoulder. Dally was looking down towards his lap. His shoulders slightly shook, as if holding back any crying. Then Soda saw Johnny. He thought back to the conversation they had about Soda speaking.
Just walk up there and speak.
"I-I don't know how to start this, but I just need to say that my brothers are my life. Even after my parents died, I knew I'd be okay because I had Darry and Ponyboy. They were my rocks. I knew we'd get along just fine. But...now," Soda took a breath, "Ponyboy is gone. I haven't been able to say that, but this is my chance to before it's too late. He's gone. It's not anyone's fault, it...just happens I guess. Some people get some shitty luck. I am scared for what's coming next for me, because I felt so secure in life with Ponyboy and Darry. Now one of them is gone, I...I'm not sure what to expect. Its me and Darry now...Darry..." Soda looked down at his older brother. "It's just us now. I don't know how...hell, I don't know what's coming next for us, but I know we'll figure it out. We'll be okay...in time." Soda stopped for a moment. He wasn't sure what to say next, if anything. Turning his head, he looked down at his little brother's body. "I love you Ponyboy. We'll be together again someday."
Everyone had moved outside. The casket stood before them. It was about to be closed forever. Everyone had their heads bowed for the prayer. Once they all looked up, it was time for the final goodbyes. Darry, Soda, and the gang waited until everyone else departed. It was just the six of them.
Dally walked up first. He looked down at the young greaser. His eyes began to well up, but this time he let them slide down. "It was good knowing you kid. I'll miss having ya around."
Two-Bit walked up next. "The gang isn't going to be the same without you Pony. I'm going to miss you. Don't worry, I'll take care of your brothers. I'll keep an eye on them, keep them smiling. Love you kid."
Johnny walked up. "I love you Ponyboy. You were my best friend, and I'm going to have a hard time with this, but I'm glad you wouldn't have to live as bad off as you could have. I'm glad you're out of pain and...just safe. I love you so much." Johnny turned, tears falling down his face, and he collapsed against Dally. Arms wrapped around Johnny, Dally lowered his head and quietly cried with the young boy. Two-Bit looked away, keeping his distance so Dally could let some emotions out.
Steve walked up to the casket. "Pony, all I really want to say is I'm sorry for any hard times we've had. I always cared about you, and I'm going to miss you. I'll be here taking care of Soda for you, alright? I love you kid."
Darry and Soda walked up together and looked down at their little brother. "We love you little brother," Darry said through his cries.
"We're going to miss you every day," Soda said. It took a minute before the brothers took a couple steps back. They stared at Ponyboy and waited. Everyone watched as the casket closed.
Soda collapsed to the ground, crying hard. Darry got down, holding onto Soda tight as they cried together.
"Ponyboy no!" Soda yelled slamming his fists into the ground, "This can't be happening!" Darry slowly felt his grip loosen as he could barely keep himself together. He let go of Soda and sat himself all the way down, head hanging and tears falling. Steve got down and pulled Soda into a hug. Two-Bit did the same to Darry. "He's gone...he's gone...he's gone..." Soda repeated into Steve's shoulder. Steve held onto his best friend tight as he kept speaking the same words over and over.
"We're here for you guys," Two-Bit said gently to Darry, "We aren't going anywhere. We will help you take care of Soda." Two-Bit looked over and made eye contact with Steve. They both could tell this wasn't going to be like when Mr. and Mrs. Curtis died, but they were ready to do whatever was needed.
Some time passed, and Steve finally felt Soda relax. He was quietly still repeating the same phrase, but it was slowing down. When Soda finally did get quiet, Steve looked down and saw his eyes were closed. He appeared to have fallen asleep as his breathing evened out. Darry lifted himself up from Two-Bit and wiped at his eyes. He looked at his little brother slumped over, relaxed and at peace for the time being.
"Well, are you ready?" Two-Bit asked.
Darry slowly shook his head, "I'll never be ready."
There was a new buried casket at the cemetery. It had fresh dirt over it and the sun was setting. There was a young boy under that cold dirt. He was placed by his parents. A young boy who had gone too soon. His older brothers weren't meant to bury him so soon, if at all during their lifetimes. There was going to be some changing times coming among the gang. Nothing they could prepare for as they got ready for the next days, weeks, and months to come.
"Steve?"
"What?"
"I feel so numb right now. I don't think I feel anything. At all."
"That's okay Soda."
"Do you think so?"
"Yeah. I wouldn't expect any different."
Soda turned and looked at his best friend laying next to him in bed. "Will you sleep in here with me tonight?"
Steve looked at Soda. "As long as you want me to buddy."
Soda looked back up at the ceiling. He wasn't sure if he'd sleep that night, or the next night, or the night after that. He didn't want to be awake alone though, stuck in his own thoughts. "Will you stay awake with me?"
Steve glanced at the nightstand next to him. Two-Bit had left a pill there for Steve to take before he headed home. Steve had promised him he'd take it before bed, and he actually meant that promise. He had planned to take it, until Soda had this request. Looking back up towards the ceiling, Steve replied, "Yeah buddy. I can do that."
There was silence between the two. Steve didn't expect Soda to actually carry on a conversation all night. He knew he just needed the comfort, knowing he had somebody right there ready for whatever was needed.
"Steve?"
"What?"
"What's going to happen next?"
Steve thought for a minute before he responded, "I guess we'll see tomorrow."