(Darry's POV)

"Can you hand me the socket wrench?"

I opened my eyes and blinked a few times to become familiar with my new surroundings. Somehow, I was standing in the driveway, the hood of the truck was open, my dad was leaning over the engine with his hand extended towards me like he was expecting me to give him something, and the sun was high in the sky and beating down on us.

"What happened?" I asked, completely unaware of how I got there or how a socket wrench materialized in my hand. I remembered walking out of the house, but I thought both of my parents were behind me when I did rather than my father being outside and working on the truck. How'd I get here?

Dad straightened up and gave me a smirk. "We tried to tell you, you're too stubborn for your own good sometimes."

I blinked a few more times and waited, hoping that either my dad would keep explaining, or my mind would figure out what he was trying to say. Neither of those things happened. "What?"

He turned to face me completely, the grease stains on his shirt being on full display. Dad was always a hard worker in everything he did, and he wore everything proudly: grease, paint, and even scars. He said it showed that he cared more about the work itself than trying to maintain any kind of image. I took that lesson to heart. It doesn't matter what people think when they see you, let your actions speak for themselves.

"You woke up before you were ready. It's alright. I would've done the same thing," Dad finally said with a grin. "Socket wrench," he repeated, reaching towards me again.

I handed him the tool, but I still felt confused. "So now what?"

Dad continued working on the truck as he responded, like the conversation or situation was completely normal. "Now, you help me with this until you're actually ready."

"But what about Pony? Or Soda?" I remembered hearing Pony's worried voice and picturing his eyes, and I couldn't help but worry that something was wrong.

"If I'm not mistaken, I believe you had a plan in place in case something happened to you, right?" Dad asked, giving me a brief, knowing look before he returned to the task at hand. "They'll be fine."

I remembered that day a couple months back, sitting at the table with Two-Bit and asking him to take of the two most important people in my life if something happened to me. He had agreed without a second thought, and I was beyond grateful for him. Two-Bit was my best friend, and I knew he'd do everything he could for my brothers, especially since he already treated Soda and Pony like his own brothers.

"Interesting choice, choosing Mathews," Dad continued, bringing me back to my senses.

"Oh don't you start now Darrel. We all know you love Keith," my mom said. I turned towards her voice, and I saw that she was walking towards us, holding a plate of freshly baked cookies. She was giving Dad a pointed look, then she gave me a small smile.

It was true, while both of my parents loved the entire gang, my dad seemed to have a soft spot for Two-Bit. It was probably because the two of them, along with Soda, always wanted to be happy and enjoy life, and they had a similar sense of humor. The three of them just understood each other, and if Dad was our age, I knew he'd get in loads of trouble with Two-Bit because they were so similar, and they'd drag Soda into it too.

My dad started laughing. "I know, I'm just joking around." When Mom reached us, Dad reached for a cookie, but she held the plate out of his reach, giving him a look. "Sweetheart, I was kidding. We know Two-Bit is a jokester, but when it really comes down to it, he'd do anything for the boys."

With that, my mom let Dad and me both take a cookie. Before I could eat a bite, I looked at the two of them, needing to know more. "So you know that I appointed Two-Bit as Soda and Pony's guardian if something happened to me?"

"Mothers know everything," Mom said with a playful smirk. Then her facial expression returned to her soft smile. "Honey, you did the right thing by preparing for any unforeseen situation, and Keith's been doing a great job taking care of the boys."

"He has?" I wasn't necessarily surprised that Two-Bit was taking care of my brothers, but I was surprised that she knew.

"He really has," Mom said kindly. "I know you're thankful for him, and your father and I are too. All the boys have been taking care of your brothers while you've been recovering."

Despite the grim topic of conversation, I grinned. "They've been a big help these last few months."

"We know it's been a lot to deal with, but we're proud of all you boys," Dad affirmed, clapping a hand on my shoulder. It was obvious that he was including the four boys that weren't technically his sons but were as good as.

After we ate Mom's delicious cookies, Dad turned his attention back to the truck while Mom returned to the house.

"So what are you working on?" I asked my dad as I joined him under the hood of the truck.

"You know that rattling noise?" Dad asked.

"Yeah." The noise drove me nuts and I knew I had to get the truck looked at, but I didn't have the time or money for it. Steve offered to look at it for free, but I wasn't going to let a friend work for free; I just had to wait until I could pay him.

"Well I'm trying to make it stop," he replied simply. "You want to help me?"

I couldn't fight the grin off my face. I would give anything just to spend more time with my dad. "Sure thing."

It seemed like hours had passed before we started up the engine and the rattling noise was absent, but the sun was still high above our heads. I wondered if time worked differently in the world my parents and I were in, but I didn't care too much. The more time I have with my parents, the better.

After we fixed the truck, Dad and I played catch with a football in the yard for a long time. Both of us recalled memories of him coaching me and all the biggest moments of my football career. I hadn't been so happy and carefree in a long time, and while part of me knew I needed to return to my brothers, another part of me didn't ever want to leave my parents again.

When Mom came outside to tell us it was time to eat, I noticed that the sun had only moved a little since I first opened my eyes. How much time do I have left here?

Mom had made spaghetti and meatballs, and once we sat down at the table and I looked at the food, I couldn't help but study the strangely normally-colored food.

"Everything okay, sweetie?" Mom asked.

I glanced up and looked at my parents, who both looked at me with confused expressions. "It's just… I don't know the last time I had a meal that someone else cooked that wasn't made with food coloring."

My parents both laughed.

"Sodapop sure loves to keep things interesting, doesn't he?" Mom asked.

"You got that right," I said with a smirk.

The three of us ate together for what I assumed would be the last time, enjoying Mom's amazing cooking. I never understood how she could make any meal taste like a professional chef cooked it. None of us could ever replicate her talent for cooking.

After dinner, Dad grabbed a couple beers, handed one to me, and then the three of us went to sit outside on the porch. I noticed the sun had started to set, which caused the most intense pinks, oranges, and reds to scatter across the sky. I guess the sun is finally moving. I pushed that thought away and focused on the sunset.

"Pony would love this," I said without thinking.

My parents, who sat on either side of me, both nodded. Pony's loves for sunsets was well-known in our family, even if Pony rarely actually talked about them.

"Yes he would," Dad said with a small smile on his face.

"He always enjoyed simple, beautiful things," Mom agreed with a matching smile.

We sat there silently, enjoying each other's company, until the colors faded and the sky started to darken. My time here with my parents is running out.

"Darry," Mom said out of the blue. I looked at her, and those warm, kind eyes were looking not only at me, but practically into my soul. "We know it's been hard, and you've all had to grow up too fast, but we are so proud of all of you. You've all grown to be amazing young men."

I was thankful to hear my mother say those words, but I couldn't help but feel like I was still falling short. "Thanks Mom, but I wish I could be better," I admitted.

"Honey, you took a bullet for your brother. Two in fact," Mom said somberly. "I don't know how you can do much better."

I shrugged. Of course I'd take a bullet for Pony. I'd do the same for Soda too. Hell, I'd take one for any of the guys. "I still feel like I'm not good enough for them. Soda and Pony deserve so much more."

"That's what parenting always feels like," Dad said earnestly. "It means you love them and want what's best for them."

"Do you have any advice?" I asked, only partially joking.

There was silence for a moment, then Dad replied. "Keep doing what you're doing, son."

I let out a sigh. "I was kind of hoping you had a little more insight than that," I said with a smirk.

Dad laughed. "Alright… here's one thing: Sodapop wants to help the people around him, and he puts on a brave face, but he's going through stuff too. Let him help you, it'll make him feel good, but just know that he's not immune to having rough days too."

I nodded at Dad's words. Soda's always been there for everyone, especially me and Pony, but when's the last time I asked him how he's doing? Have I thanked him enough for everything he's done?

Then Mom pulled me into a side hug. "As for your other brother… Pony's emotional, but he doesn't like to show it. That might be why his nightmares are so bad or he seems lost in his head so often. Try to be patient with him. Even though it seems like Soda is the only one Pony goes to for comfort, you being there helps him too. I promise."

I nodded again. I know he doesn't remember his nightmares most of the time, but have I ever asked Pony what he thinks about when he gets lost in his own head? I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I just yell at him for not focusing and move on. I decided that the next time Pony gets stuck in his head, I'll ask him what he's thinking about before I holler at him. On top of that, I'll continue being there for support whenever he needs me, and I'll try to yell at him less overall.

"Okay, thank you. I'll do better, I promise," I said confidently. I need to do better.

"One last piece of advice," Dad started, putting his hand on the back of my neck in a display of comfort and support. "Don't be too hard on yourself. Nobody expected you to have to raise your brothers, but things happened and your mother and I aren't there anymore, and you're doing a great job. You'll make mistakes, just like your mom and I did, but just learn from them and move on."

Then my mom tightened her arm around me. "Remember what I told you before Darry: all you need to do is love and support them. Just do that, and you'll figure the rest out."

I nodded, then had to wipe my eyes so I could clear the blurriness. Quit crying, Darry. I sat there, forcing my tears away and soaking up all the comfort I could get from my parents, when a sound appeared suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"Darry?" I looked up at the now-dark sky. "Hey Dar, you waking up?"

"That's Soda," I stated, as if my parents wouldn't recognize the sound of their own son's voice.

"Darry?" That time, it was Pony's voice.

"It's time, honey," Mom said, pulling me up with her as she got to her feet. She put her hands on my shoulders and smiled. "Your brothers are waiting," Mom stated.

"Pony and I are here, Dar. We're both here… just waitin' on you big brother," Soda said next.

Tears started appearing in my eyes again, but this time, I didn't bother trying to wipe them away. Part of me didn't want to go, I wanted to stay with my parents, but I knew I had to return to the land of the living and take care of my brothers.

I wrapped my arms around my mom and pulled her into an embrace, knowing it would be the last time I could. "Thank you for everything, Mom. I miss you so much. I love you."

"I love you too, Darry," she said as she wrapped her arms around me. We stood there for what seemed like forever and one second at the same time, but eventually pulled apart. Then she kissed my cheek and gave me another warm smile. "We're always with you."

I gave her a teary smile and nod before turning towards my dad.

Instantly, Dad and I pulled each other in the world's tightest hug. "Glory, I miss you so much, Dad."

He patted my back roughly. "I miss you too, Darry, but your mom's right… we're never really gone."

I nodded, but I didn't release my hold on him. I couldn't let him go just yet.

"We're so proud of the man you've become," he continued. "We love you, Darry. We love you and your brothers so much."

"I love you too," I said as clearly as I could, despite barely being able to breathe. Is it because of how tight we're hugging, or something else?

Finally, Dad and I pulled away from each other, but he kept his hands on my shoulders and his eyes locked onto mine. "You're enough, Darry. You're exactly what the boys need right now."

I had to wipe the stream of tears off my face. "Thank you," I choked out.

I stepped back and looked at my parents, who moved to stand together and look at me with soft expressions. Then I had a sudden urge to say more, just in case I missed something. This is the last time I'll ever get to see them. I don't want to regret anything. There were so many things I wanted to say, and all of them flew through my mind, but I eventually settled with something very generic, but genuine. "Thank you both for everything. We all miss you and love you so much."

My parents wrapped an arm around each other and continued to look at me lovingly.

"We love you too," Mom said. "All of you."

"Take care of yourselves, and each other," Dad said.

I nodded, then walked down the porch steps. I wasn't sure where I was going, but something was drawing me forward. Seconds later, Pony's voice reappeared, sounding like he was speaking from the sky.

"You have a tube in your throat. It's breathing for you. When you wake up, they'll take it out as long as you can breathe fine on your own, okay? You just have to stay relaxed."

I looked up at the dark sky, and the dark faded to a light grey. As the sky changed color, it became more difficult to breathe, but I tried not to panic. Pony said there's a tube in my throat. That must be why it's hard to breathe. I turned to see my parents one last time, and I managed to catch a glimpse of them smiling at me from their spot on the porch before they, too, faded to grey. The grey started to encompass me, and it became even harder to breathe.

"We know it doesn't feel good," Soda's voice said. It was a little louder than he and Pony sounded before, like he had gotten closer. "You're gonna be hurtin' for a while Dar, but you're in a hospital… the doctors will fix you right up and you'll be good as new in no time. But first thing's first, you gotta open your eyes."

After talking with my parents and hearing my brothers' voices, I knew I was in a coma and in the hospital, and my brothers were right there with me. I felt comforted, but also uneasy about Soda and Pony seeming me in a vulnerable state. When I wake up, I can let them know that I'm okay.

The more I tried to force myself to wake up, the heavier I felt. On top of that, I felt more pain and could hear more sounds; people talking, machines beeping, and a weird noise that I couldn't identify. The grey that had surrounded me changed to a slightly-pink color, and I was sure that I was seeing the inside of my eyelids.

Finally, I'm awake.

It felt like my eyes were glued shut, but after an immense amount of effort, I managed to open my eyes.

The first thing I noticed was my mouth was open and something was coming out of it. It's the tube thing Pony mentioned, right? I felt like I couldn't talk a full breath in, and even though it worried me, I knew I had to pretend like everything was fine.

"Hey Dar," Soda said from somewhere on my left. By the proximately of his tear-filled voice, I knew he was right next to me. "Good to see ya, Superman."

I tried to reply, but it was like my voice was stuck in my throat, and I suddenly couldn't breathe at all. I heard alarms start shrieking, and they were way too close for comfort. My ears felt like they were going to start bleeding, and on top of my lack of ability to breathe, I felt panic start to rise in my burning chest. Take this tube out! I can't breathe!

Pony must've read my mind or something, because in the midst of the obnoxious noises, I heard him trying to talk to me calmly. "It's okay, Darry. That's helping you breathe. You gotta relax."

"Don't fight against it," Soda said next. "Just wait until-"

"What's going on in here?" a deeper voice shouted. Please tell me this is a doctor. Seconds later, a man in a white coat and a nurse were standing on the right side of my bed. Then the man spoke to me directly. "Hello Darrel, I'm Dr. Jones. We have you attached to a ventilator to help you breathe. Would you like me to remove it so you can breathe on your own?"

I could hardly breathe, let alone reply, so all I could do was give him a blink. Yes.

"Alright, when I count to three, I want you to give me a big cough, okay?" the man, Dr. Jones, said. He and the nurse moved, then he started counting. "Okay, one, two, three."

I tried to cough, but it felt like an impossible task– it was like I wasn't able to control my lungs at all. Still, I managed to at least exhale a little before it felt like something burning was being ripped out of my chest via my mouth. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to focus on staying calm and not vomit or pass out.

As soon as the burning sensation eased up a little, something was put on my face. "This is an oxygen mask, Darrel. It should help make breathing on your own easier. Now try to take a breath in."

For a moment, I didn't think my lungs were going to cooperate with me. Apparently, I really needed that tube thing before. I was worried that I was going to suffocate in front of my brothers, and all of the noises the machines were making didn't make me feel any better about the situation.

"Relax Darry," Pony said. Then I felt him put his hand on my shoulder. "Slow, deep breaths."

I'm trying.

"C'mon Darry, do it for us," Soda said. I assumed it was him that gripped my knee.

Mom said I was ready to wake up. The tube is out. I have to breathe on my own. My brothers are counting on me.

I focused all of my effort into breathing in, and once I felt like I managed to get oxygen into my lungs, I refocused my energy into exhaling.

"That's it, Darrel. You're doing great," someone said. I assumed the stranger talking was Dr. Jones, but I had more important things to focus on.

In and out, Darry. Inhale, then exhale.

Finally, when I got a steady rhythm and I didn't feel like I was going to pass out or anything, I opened my eyes and quickly blinked the tears away. They can't see me cry.

The hand on my knee moved, then something wrapped around my left hand and squeezed it tight. "Dar?" Soda asked tentatively.

I blinked a few more times, just to make sure that not only was I able to breathe, but the tears were gone. The blaring machines thankfully got quieter.

"Darry?" Pony asked next.

When I was confident that I was okay, I looked away from the ceiling and to my left, where my tired, beat-up kid brothers were sitting, waiting for me.

My throat felt like I had swallowed boiling hot coffee when I spoke. "Hey guys."

I had never seen my brothers look so relieved.

Finally, everyone is awake and the storyline can be more continuous from now on.

Thank you to everyone that has stuck with this story thus far!