It started that summer

Final Goodbye (The End)

"O-Okay," I took a shaky breath, trying to latch onto his words. I sobbed into his jacket. Each breath felt like a release, purging the hurt I had carried for so long. "I thought I'd lost everything," I admitted, my voice muffled.

"You're not going to lose us," Dick reassured, rubbing my back gently. "You've already fought so hard to find your way back. You're not alone in this."

I took a shaky breath, the laughter and sobs intertwining in a way that felt foreign yet freeing and not so scary. "I just... I just feel so much," I whispered, the weight of my emotions still swirling inside. "It's like I'm unraveling, and I don't know how to put myself back together."

"You don't have to do it all at once," he said softly. "Just take it one day at a time. And right now, it's okay to just feel everything."

"Okay," I took deep breaths, counting down in my mind. "Okay," I repeated, grounding myself. "I'm okay. I feel good, I feel better than I have in a long time. I feel light." Dick wrapped me in a hug, and I clung to him tightly. "Thanks for being here with me," I murmured, pulling back just enough to meet his gaze, my eyes brimming with tears. "I didn't think I'd come this far."

Dick smiled through his own tears, a mix of pride and love radiating from him. "You're stronger than you think, Jay. You've faced down demons and come back. That's not easy. I'm so proud to call you my brother." I let my body fall backward into the snow. Dick's eyes widened in panic. "Wha—"

"Look," I said, pointing up at the gentle snowfall. "It's like us. Each flake is different, just like our scars and our stories. We've both been through our own storms and while we've changed, together we create something beautiful—something that can withstand anything."

Dick chuckled, relaxing slightly. "You're a poet now too huh?" He looked up, "Yeah, you're right. Just like the snow, we've all changed. But together, we're stronger."

"Yeah, and if we keep lying here, we're going to be two frozen idiots," I added, grinning. "I mean, I don't think 'Snowman and Robin' is a thing." With a playful shove, I pushed Dick down into the snow beside me, laughing as he landed with a thud. "Now we're both snowmen! Just don't let Kori see us like this."

"She'll probably try to dress us up with silly scarves or something." He added.

We lay there, the cold seeping into our clothes, but the moment felt perfect. I realized how much I needed this—this connection, this laughter. Even if it feels a little crazy, then I can live a little crazy. I can feel however I want. And right now, after years of hell, I finally feel free of him. I finally feel whole. "Thanks for being my brother, Dick. You make it all a little easier."

"Anything for you little wing."

I grinned as I watched the snowflakes dance around us, feeling a warmth spread through me despite the chill. "Hey Mr. Snowman," I teased, "let's see how well you can dodge." With a sudden burst of energy, I scooped up a handful of snow and launched it at Dick. The soft, powdery snow exploded against his thin shirt, and I couldn't help but laugh at his surprised expression.

"Oh, it's on!" he shouted, shaking off the snow and grabbing a handful of his own. Before I could react, he hurled it right back at me, hitting me square in the chest. The laughter and chaos erupted as we dove into a playful snowball fight, rolling in the snow and packing it tightly, lost in the moment. "Snow's great and all," I shouted, ducking behind the food stand, "but I prefer my battles without frostbite!" Just as Dick prepared another snowball, I had a brilliant idea. With a mischievous grin, I scooped up a handful of snow and quickly stuffed it down the back of his pants. "How about this?!" I shouted, laughing as I watched his eyes widen in shock.

"What are y–EEEEKKK!" he yelled, bursting into laughter as he jumped around, trying to shake it out. But before he could retaliate, I bolted for the car, my laughter echoing in the air.