A/N : I wrote this right after finishing Lost in Consolation and I don't know if I'll ever go back and expand on any of it, but found I enjoyed briefly revisiting the story line. I feel like, after going through it, this kind of paved the way for the themes and ideas in Echoes of Affliction and Shadows of Healing.

Soda hid behind the tree in the front yard, clutching the snowball he'd created. He watched as Darry zipped up his coat, before beginning to make his way from the porch to the mailbox, the snow of winter crunching under his boots.

Darry was glancing down at the envelopes he planned on mailing when a cold ball of snow flew across the yard and hit him square in the face.

Soda dissolved into laughter, before Darry even had time to look in his direction.

Darry couldn't help the smile that crossed his face, even as he shouted, making sure to include his brother's middle name in an attempt to sound stern. "Sodapop Patrick!"

"The one and only!"

Darry finished his walk to the mailbox, placing the envelopes in it. He then headed over to his brother's hiding place and pulled him into a headlock, just as he saw his other brother come outside. "Hey, Pony come help me out here!"

Pony laughed and quickly made a snowball that he threw at Soda, who was giggling, while he tried to struggle out of the headlock.

"I'll get you for that later, Pony!" Soda yelled, as Darry released him.

"Oh, I'm counting on it!" Pony shouted back, as he walked away from the house, waving at his brothers.

Darry grinned at Soda. "Want some hot chocolate, little buddy?"

"Sounds good, Dar!"

Darry was putting pile of freshly folded laundry on Soda and Pony's bed, when he glanced at his middle brother. "How are you, little buddy?"

Soda rolled his eyes, though he did understand the frequent question.

"Your eyes are going to get stuck back there if you keep doing that."

"I'm okay, Darry. You don't have to ask everyday."

"But I do. Come on, you can't blame me."

Soda knew Darry was absolutely right. He'd had a tough time for a while, before he truly started to feel better. His big brother had every reason to ask questions. Even after Soda had gotten his long hidden emotions out in the open, their aftermath still existed, as did the effects of the way he'd tried to cope with everything that happened in too short of a time. He shot his brother a grin. "You're right. I don't. But I know what else you're really thinking about too."

"I knew you'd remember. I just don't want you to try to cope by yourself again."

The next day would be the first anniversary of their parents' car accident. Only a couple of months ago, Soda had still been struggling with the secret guilt he felt stemming from the fact that he would've been in the car with them if plans hadn't quickly changed.

Soda sighed. "Of course, I remember. But it isn't just hard for me. You and Pony miss them too."

"True. And I already talked to Pony. I just worry about you a little more these days, Soda."

"I know. I can't say I didn't give you a reason."

"Just don't forget you can come to me."

Soda knew this was Darry's indirect way of telling him not to hurt himself again. The last two months had found him in his brother's bedroom in the early morning hours several times, still seeking shelter from the waves of emotions and urges to harm himself that sometimes surfaced. Soda had slept much better since the conversation with Darry at the lake, but he still had rough nights. He had nightmares sometimes too. Once, he'd awakened to find Pony staring at him because he was sweating and calling for their mom and dad, having just been dreaming about the accident.

Soda nodded at Darry. "I know. I've never forgotten."

Soda felt the cold wind blow against his face, as he shivered against the cold air. He knew he should go back in to get a coat, but for some reason, the chill felt good on his skin.

Darry threw open the door, his voice loud. "Sodapop Patrick Curtis! Have you lost your mind?"

"Maybe I have. I don't know."

"Don't be a smart ass! Just get in here!"

"You don't have to keep yelling, Darry. I'm coming." Soda ambled inside.

Darry pulled the door closed, the winter air no longer drifting into the warm house."It's freezing out there, Sodapop! What are you thinking going out without your coat on?"

"I don't know. I was just thinking. I'm fine. No harm done." Soda sat down and stared at the hot cocoa from earlier that had grown cold. He stirred it with his finger, watching the brown liquid swirl.

Soda's eyes opened and he groaned, knowing it was late. He hadn't been in bed more than a few hours. He glanced at Pony, who lay next to him sound asleep. Soda carefully sat up and stood, going to the kitchen. He filled a glass with water, realizing how thirsty he was, as he soaked in the feeling of the cool liquid on his dry throat.

Soda sat down on the couch in the living room, the softness of the cushions seeming to envelope him. He leaned his head back and listened to the sounds of silence that filled the house, as he closed his eyes.

He was beginning to find that if he could focus on the sounds and sensations that surrounded him, they helped immensely. It didn't matter if it was the feel of chilly air, the cooling touch of liquid, or the softness of the furniture, they all helped Soda grow calmer. Even just listening for the sounds of any kind of life in the dead of night silenced his mind at least a little.

Of course, this meant the comforting touches of his brothers and friends also was a source of solace for him. There were times when an embrace or a hand rubbing his back felt so healing to him. The sounds and touches of his surroundings gave him a place to let his mind wander more freely. Soda could soak in every bit of the world around him, letting only his physical senses have free reign. After some time, his emotions would follow their lead and allow tranquility to enter the scene.