Here it is, the last chapter!

(Darry's POV)

It's been a few months since Soda and Steve have returned, and some things have gotten better.

I was shocked when Steve gave Pony a car, but he's been treating Ponyboy like he was his own brother since he came back from the war, and both of them have enjoyed their newfound bond. I always reminded Pony to drive safe and be home before dark, which was never an issue with him anymore, but Steve always had a smart remark about me being a mother hen. The rest of us are glad that those two get along better too, especially Soda.

Soda's nightmares are less frequent, so he manages to get some sleep, and his flashbacks don't make his mind wonder from the present as much as they used to. Sometimes I see him write in the notebook Ponyboy gave him. I'm thankful that our kid brother found a way to help Soda, even when he doesn't want to talk about what's bothering him.

Steve's been looking better ever since that night he talked to both of my brothers on the front porch. I heard some of the things he said that night, but I never brought it up to him. I figured it was best for him to heal and leave some things behind rather than have me bringing them to the surface again. Since that night, he's been less distant, he doesn't seem as tense, and I know he's slept better, especially since moving into Soda's old room.

Steve keeps insisting that he'll move out soon, but I honestly don't mind him living with us; he basically did before he left for Vietnam anyway, and I don't like the idea of him living by himself quite yet. He still has rough days, both mentally and physically, and I hate to think about how he'd handle it without any of us with him. He's made so much progress, and I don't want him to take any steps backward.

Pony's been smiling and happy practically nonstop since the guys came back from the war. He had me really worried for a while. We all missed Soda and Steve, but Pony was still so young, it impacted him so much, and he's always shown his emotions more than the rest of us in the first place. I knew he was struggling, but I didn't know how much or what to do other than be there for him whenever he needed me. I had a hard time too, but I had to help my kid brother, so I couldn't really focus on my emotions. Soda said I did everything right with Pony, but I couldn't help but wonder what else I should've done or should continue to do. I've always felt like I wasn't doing enough for my brothers, but that feeling just grew the longer Soda and Steve were gone. Two-Bit helped me a lot, but nothing did the trick except the guys coming home.

Two-Bit has also been acting more like himself since Soda and Steve's return. I knew he was just trying to put on a brave face and make it through every day, just like Pony and I were, but it was hard for him too. Now, he seems more chaotic and wilder than ever before, but it makes me happy to see him enjoy things again with his wild energy.

I walked into the kitchen to make some dinner, but I stopped in the doorway to watch the scene unfold in front of me. All four of the guys were playing cards at the table. Two-Bit had his back to me, and he slung an arm around Steve, pretending to be nonchalant, but he was really trying to look at Steve's cards. Steve grabbed his cane and threatened to beat Two-Bit with it, but the smile on his face showed that he was just kidding.

Across from them, Soda and Pony sat side-by-side, both laughing at Two-Bit and Steve's antics. My brothers have always seemed to be attached at the hip, but it's even more apparent now. Soda wrapped his arm around Pony to pull him closer as he made a remark about Two-Bit and Steve. I could see the uncomfortable grimace Soda made when he moved his arm to pull Pony closer, and I tried to push my worry away.

Soda's told me several times that he's fine and that I have other things to worry about besides my adult kid brother. I laughed with him the first time he said that, but I always assure him that I'll always worry about him, even more now than before he got shipped out, so he had to deal with it.

Watching the four of them playing cards in front of me reminded me of the good ol' days. Besides the scars, long-lasting injuries, frequent nightmares and flashbacks, everything seemed normal with what remained of our gang.

I found myself smiling as I stood in the doorway, and Soda noticed.

"What's up Darry?" Soda asked. His tone sounded innocent and curious, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that he probably could read my mind and knew how I was feeling.

My smile grew as I finally saw the lively look in Soda's eyes. I hadn't seen that look since before he got his draft notice. I was worried that after his time in Vietnam, that energy, those flames, would be gone forever, but he proved me wrong, and I couldn't be happier about it.

"Want to join?" Ponyboy asked. I had a strange feeling that he also sensed my thoughts and emotions.

We had gotten closer since Soda and Steve left, and our bond had strengthened so much over the past couple years. I no longer felt like an outsider with my brothers, or the gang for that matter.

"Dar?" Soda's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Darry, you okay?" Pony's voice echoed the concern in Soda's voice.

By the time I got myself to reply, I have four pairs of eyes on my. "I'm good. I was just about to make dinner."

"C'mon Muscles, one game?" Two-Bit asked. "Food can wait."

I grinned. "Alright."

One game turned into two, which turned into ten, and before we knew it, we had forgotten about dinner all together. We were all enjoying the company of each other.

When Soda got his draft notice that fateful day, it felt like my world was crumbling, but I had to pretend to be strong for everyone else. Once he and Steve returned, it felt like I had a growing sense of stability and happiness.

As greasers, we're not used to getting any breaks, but somehow, we got Soda and Steve back from Vietnam. None of us are the same as we once were, and some days are harder than others, but we have each other's backs. Even though we'll have many more battles to fight, we have each other, and that's all that matters.