Author's note: Darry may seem a little different. I hated in the book that Darry never seemed human because he was so hard and cold. But i don't seem him that way all the time. I think Darry has a second side that Pony didn't realize until late. SO enjoy, sorry i couldn't update earlier. I am super busy with preparing for nationals which in three weeks.

Night before surgery

Darry , Soda and Pony were sitting around the dinner table. Soda had made pasta, rolls and chocolate cake. They were pretty quick as they began to eat. Everything wasn't as normal as they pretended it was.

" How's work going?", Darry asks

"Well, I just got a raise at the DX. They promoted me to assistant manger, so maybe things will be better so us", Soda says

"I agree", Darry says

"How's therapy going?", Soda asks

"Well, I hope to be walk with a walker in a few weeks", Darry says

Pony couldn't take it any longer, this was just too much.

"I hate this. You two are just talking about this as if its normal. It's not and its tearing me up on the inside. Darry, I know you hate us saying that you're different now but its the truth. You can't just pretend, I can't see you as my older brother Superman. I hate to say this but i see a disabled man rolling in his chair. You used to be so strong both mentally and physically. It'ts not the same, even Soda has changed. Sodapop was once as free as the wind but now, he's you Darry. I want my brothers back.", Pony says as tears fill his green-gray eyes

"Pone", Darry says with a broken voice

"Ponyboy", Soda says with a voice full of sadness

With tears in his eyes as the stream down his face, Pony manages, "I can't take this anymore. This isn't how it's supposed to be. I wish that mama and daddy didn't die, i wish Darry was off in collage, I wish Soda wasn't a drop out working at the DX and most importantly i wish things would go back to normal."

Darry slowy and unsteady lets his guard down. He was so used to being the big tough strong big brother called superman. But it's not easy being superman. Darry cries too, just in the secrecy and safety of his room.

"Pone, i wish that everyday. But it can't. I wish i could get out of this chair, walk across the room and wrap you in my arms. I wish that i was more honest... when i nearly died weeks ago. I came to realize something, i never showed human emotions. It's not easy being superman but i love it, it's the best job in the world. It might not be an easy job. I read that theme of yours , Pone. Mr. Syme thought i should read it . It was months ago, after the boys died. I was struggling with you, I read what you had to say about me. I came to realize i need to change that approach. I know you too think of be as superman , but even superman has a kyprnite. My weakness is your guys, I love both of you very much. I wanted you to know that in case, you know, things don't go well", Darry asks says

Pony came over to Darry and wrapped his arms awkwardly over his brother. Darry was gently not being rough. He was always too rough with Pony. He hated that but he was. He was just more worried about his baby brother than his kid brother. Pony was just a baby, he had a bright future ahead. Darry felt he had already failed with Soda with him being a drop out. Nope, his baby brother won't be a drop out.

Soda felt left out and joined in his brothers' hug.

"Soda, how do you feel about this?", Darry asks as Pony takes a seat

"Honestly, over whelmed and scared out of my mind. I got so much responsibility dumped into my lap. I work full time, take care of my brothers and manage to to everything else. Like take care of the house, get you to doctor after doctor while balancing Pony's track stuff.", Soda says

"That's how i felt at first, it gets easier. ", Darry says

"I have so much respect for you, Dar. I don't know how you do it all without falling apart", Soda says

"I promise things will get easier. I plan to get ajob, i need one wheater i can walk or roll. I talked to a friend of Dad's and he would be willing to take me as a accountant. He needs one and I can balance money with ease. I plan to start in two weeks if all goes well", Darry says

"Darry", Soda says

"I need to , kid brother. I need to stay busy in order to get some normalcy back in my life.

"Alright, take it easy though.", Soda says

"let's go to bed", Darry says

The three brothers ended up in Darry's bed. Darry had his legs propped up by a pillow. All three cuddled close and slept well. They needed the strength to face tomorrow. Darry gping back into the hospital after getting home wouldn't be easy. Not for any of the brothers would it be easy. It seems that this has become their life, a time of changes , and not for the better either. If only this never happened as Pony likes to think.

For Darry , this is the song i write this story to

"I can't stand to fly"

"I'm no that naive"

"I'm just out to find a better part of me"

"I'm more than bird"

"I'm more than a plane"

"I'm more than some pretty face beside a train and it's not easy being me"

"I wish i could cry"

"Fall upon my knees"-

Superman (It's not easy to be me by Five for Fight)