.::I do not own The Outsiders::.

29. I missed you

Ponyboy had given each of the greasers their own letter that Johnny had written. Even Mrs. Cade. They all read in their own time, their own special hour of the day. Sodapop nodded a thank you to his little brother knowing he still wasn't forgiven for his actions. Ponyboy still was quiet not speaking throughout the whole day ignoring almost everyone getting deeper into his depression.

Twobit was drinking a beer while he read grieving in his won way, Steve at his place laying on his bed accepting that his friend was really gone, Darry at work in his lunch hour sitting atop of a roof in a humid day wondering what had Johnny gone through, Sodapop in his own room smiling sadly at every last word written to him regretting leaving in the first place.

That night while everyone was in their own business Ponyboy sneaked his way into the lot still thinking about what Johnny had said. He sighed as he ripped some grass from the ground getting ready to go back home. Just then Dally walked beside sitting down next to him. With a smoke in his mouth he exhaled slowly, the smoke fading away into the wind. Pony looked at Dallas, he wanted to see if he was ok. If he was better. Any sign of sadness on his face.

"What are you looking at, kid?" He asked smirking.

Ponyboy shrugged, "Nothing I guess...So uh, you read the letter."

Dally nodded, "Sure did Pone. Sure did."

"Oh...ok."

His friend shook his head, "Ya know kid, you should really stick to what Johnny said in yours. Life goes on and well we can't do shit about all this. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't like seeing you this way."

Ponyboy sighed again, "I know. I know..."

The older greaser chewed on what was left of his cancer stick. Gently, he took out Johny's letter that was a bit worn out from re reading it many times trying to capture what was left of his deceased friend. Ponyboy's eyes followed his movements on how Dally sighed, then cracked a smile laying the valuable piece of paper on his folded legs. Pony didn't understand. It was for Dally.

"Dal-"

"Just take it Pone," his hand ran through his hair smoothly, "I know you'll take care of it better than me. I would keep it but heck, I'll probably forget it somewhere in my mess. 'S okay. I read everything I needed to read." Shrugging, "Guess I'm better. I made it after all."

Ponyboy folded it putting it in his pocket making sure it wouldn't tear, "Made it?"

"Yeah kid, I thought I was gonna kill myself. I mean, Johnny was..." Everything to us. To me.

"I get you Dal."

Dallas stood up stretching his arms, the moon glowing brightly. Ponyboy grinned, he was glad that his friend was better. That he didn't kill himself. That even though Johnny was dead he could still help out the tuff hood in only words. Dally waved a goodbye meaning he was leaving but before getting out of view he turned around giving away one of his rare smiles. Ponyboy smiled back. See you later Dal.

Sodapop was in a deep sleep dreaming of memories of his childhood when his Mom and Dad were still alive. When Ponyboy was younger barely three walking around with his wobbly steps while his mother was around him making sure he didn't fall. His father playing with Sodapop and his friends the football being tossed around. Then it all went into blackness. His eyes opened slowly, one of his hands rubbing his eyes trying to get the sleepiness out of him.

What had woken him up was a tug on his leg. Someone was at the end of his bed urging him to wake up. Looking around he could see that it was still dark. Soda squinted surprised to see that it was Ponyboy. He sat up quickly worried that something was wrong. Pony put a finger to his own lips gesturing him to keep quiet and follow.

Sodapop put on some pants, shoes and grabbed a sweater since it was a bit cold out. His brother led him somewhere far from the neighborhood. Somewhere near his high school where there was a park that was barely visited. It was almost abandoned. The slide was rusty and so were the swings as well as the monkey bars. Some benches were covered in dirt yet it had a great view of the fields of grass, trees.

The dark skies were beginning to get from dark black to purple. Ponyboy sat down beside a tree making space for his brother. Sodapop wasn't sure what was going on but didn't question it. He was just glad to be with him. After all they haven't spoken for some time. He missed him dearly so this interaction was worth it.

Minutes of silence passed, the sky was now the color of deep dark blue The stars were starting to disappear. Ponyboy was simply staring at the sky with his green eyes full of thought. Sodapop tilted his head sideways not getting it, he wondered what was the big deal so he also stared up. Now the clouds were getting reddish pink, the sky was a mix between purple, blue and pink while the sun was slowly rising, it's golden color illuminating everything that touched the ground. Including the two boys who were in the park.

Soda's eyes captured the beauty of it. His breath caught in his throat feeling the warmth of it all. Ponyboy's eyes twinkled in amazement. It was all very stunning. So golden... Thoughts swam in his mind. Words. Faces. Memories. Johnny. Dally. Darry. Twobit. Steve. Sodapop.

Let go Pone...Let go...

Ponyboy looked beside him to where his brother was still gazing above. With one small sigh he hugged him. Hard. His lips began to tremble making a small whimpering noise in the back of his throat. All that hurt that had been hiding, that had been dug up was fading away. All that resentment finally leaving his body. Tears slid down his cheeks followed by sobs.

"I-I love you Soda. I really m-missed you. I'm sorry f-for not talking to you. Sorry for fighting a-and-"

Sodapop shushed him by putting his hand over his brother's mouth. His eyes were full of tears as well. That cold feeling in the bottom of his chest melted realizing Ponyboy had finally forgiven him. For everything.

"Don't 'lil colt. You don't have to be sorry for anything. I-I was the one who messed up. I-I really didn't mean to leave you Pone. You-You and everyone else mean the whole world to me! I was so stupid. I'm the one whose sorry Pone," A sob, "I'm real sorry Pone. I didn't mean to make you sad. If I could take everything back I would. Believe me."

"I forgive you Soda. I really do. Just don't ever leave me again." Ponyboy cried still holding on to Soda.

"I won't Ponyboy. I promise. I won't ever leave you again."

Both brothers smiled happily at each other. Everything was definitely better. All those bad moments left in the past. Everything left behind, forgotten. Ponyboy wiped away his tears with the back of his hands. The sun was completely up in the sky. The sunlight warming Pony's face.

Ponyboy, promise something else...Promise me you'll keep watching those sunsets. Those sunrises. The stars. Maybe the rest won't understand but heck who cares? Keep doing that Pone 'cause that means I'll still be with you watching it too.

Pony did feel his friend with him that morning. He felt his presence, he heard his voice in the wind. Something felt right and he took in every minute of it. The of Pony's tears were drying. The emotional gashed were cured, his heart was repaired and so was his mind.

It all felt well again. A heavy weight lifted.

The wounds, yes they healed.

oOoOoOo

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)

And here was the last chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. And I'm terribly for waiting this long for the last chapter. Yet thank you for keeping up and for your lovely comments. Thank you. :,)