A/N: 10/27/2022

Eight months. IT TOOK ME 8 MONTHS TO DO THIS?! Sorry all. Just lost track of time. To make up for it, I'm doing all three final parts of this story right now! After the last part, I'll explain what's coming next.

Enjoy!

Part 7

A couple of hours later, Brooklyn sat atop the Washington Bridge, staring out at the city. He had one leg swinging over the edge while he rested his arm on his propped-up knee. His argument with Talon was the only thing playing in his mind, particularly how he ended it. He meant what he said. If Goliath needed to be human to forge a life with Elisa, then he'd be human. Brooklyn would take over from there. Perhaps it was time anyway.

Brooklyn heard something approach. A rush of wind in the air. Brooklyn looked over his shoulder to see Goliath gliding through the sky.

Goliath landed behind Brooklyn. "I didn't think I would find you."

"Was kinda hoping you wouldn't," Brooklyn admitted. "Just wanted some time alone."

"I understand, but… Brooklyn, we must talk."

"We don't 'must'. But if you want to, sure."

Goliath walked over and sat next to Brooklyn, both of them observing the city. There was silence for a while, as Goliath was still mentally understanding what Brooklyn said before.

"How'd it go with Talon after I left?" Brooklyn asked, breaking the silence.

"We had a long talk," Goliath answered. "He apologized."

Brooklyn looked at Goliath in shock. "You're kidding! I missed that?!"

"It was surprising."

"I'll bet." Brooklyn looked back at the city. "Wow. That's a miracle."

"Miracles almost seem commonplace with this Clan," Goliath noted.

"Maybe a little."

Goliath let out a rueful exhale. "Brooklyn…"

"I meant what I said, Goliath," Brooklyn preempted. "We don't have to talk about it."

"But we must."

"No, we mustn't."

"Brooklyn…"

"Goliath," Brooklyn exhaled. "Look. I'm not… saying you have to leave the Clan or stop being a gargoyle for Elisa. I would never say that."

"Then what?"

"I'm saying… you can if you want to. Or if you feel you need to."

"Elisa wouldn't force me to make that choice," Goliath declared.

Brooklyn stared at him. "Gimme a break, Goliath. Would she make you? No. Force you? Never. Does she want that? You and I both know… she probably does."

Goliath looked down in sadness.

"You're treating this like it's a bad thing. Stop it. You've done it all, Goliath. You don't owe us anymore."

Goliath looked back at him, perplexed. "'Owe' you?"

Brooklyn groaned, "Okay. Maybe that was the wrong choice of words. But my point is… just do what makes you happy."

"More than that would be at stake!" Goliath countered.

Brooklyn groaned again and stood to his feet, pacing around and scratching his head. "You're missing my point!"

"No, Brooklyn," Goliath stood up. "I truly understand."

"Really don't think you do!"

"I just want you to know I would never turn my back on the Clan," Goliath insisted.

"It's not turning your back!" Brooklyn argued. "It's choosing to be happy with Elisa. There's nothing wrong with that!"

Goliath stopped. "Maybe. But… I don't want you to think I'm only thinking of myself. Or just about myself and Elisa."

"Of course, I don't think that!"

"Well, I must make it clear! I'm considering everything. The clan, Elisa. All of it." Goliath rubbed his eyes, "I just…"

"Goliath, enough!" Brooklyn declared.

Goliath jerked his head back.

They fell silent for a moment before Brooklyn took a breath. "Listen. Okay? Just… just hear me out."

Goliath nodded.

"What I'm saying is… you've done enough for us. If this is it… then this is it. Do what's right for you and Elisa. Honestly? You're wrong. You don't have to consider us. At all. You shouldn't. Think about you and Elisa. What you guys want. What you guys need to do to be happy. Whatever that is… do that. Because it's what you should do. For you. For her. And no one has the right to make you feel bad about it. No one! Not a single one of us. You've done all you had to do and more. I can take over. I'll make you proud."

Goliath studied Brooklyn for a moment. "You've always made me proud."

"Yeah, but I'll do a better. Whether or not you decide to leave."

"Elisa and I have made no decision one way or the other."

"That's because the human-gargoyle thing is still an issue," Brooklyn said. "You'll figure it out. We'll figure it out. I promise." He paused for a moment. "I just… I want you to do the thing that you want to do. I can take over for you. Because… you deserve to be happy. You earned it. And honestly? That's what I want for you."

A proud, gratitude-filled smile spread across Goliath's face. "More than ever, I'm convinced I made the right choice making you my second," he declared.

Brooklyn smiled, then shrugged, "I still got work to do. But… I think… I hope… I'm getting better at it."

"You absolutely are."

"Thanks, Goliath."

"Thank you, Brooklyn," Goliath replied. "Thank you for everything."

"Don't thank me yet. After all…" Brooklyn smiled. "…I'm just getting started."