A/n shoot it's been forever since I've updated hasn't it? ....sigh...well here I am again! Woot woot!

"Don't Steve!" Ponyboy could feel the panic rise in his chest, felt the pain as his heart beat faster.
Johnny looked on sadly, his dark eyes round like a child's. There was still more life left for Steve Randle to live, still more for this exhausted old man to accomplish.
"I'm so tired" Steve choked down a cry of anguish, his withered hands holding the blade to his chest with familiar certainty.
"Put the switch down" Ponyboy gasped, pushing into his chest with the palm of his right hand. The pain was intense.
Johnny saw the old one's pain, felt it like it was his own. There would be no time for three wishes if the tired old one did not stop.
"There is still good to be done in your future" Johnny whispered, "You must stop...-
"Stay gold for me Steve, when I'm gone" Ponyboy was fighting through the pain so he could speak, "will you stay gold for me?" Pony's white hair fell over his eyes, hiding the tears that sprang from them.
"Ponyboy..." Steve's voice was desperate as he dropped the switch and went to his dying friend.
Ponyboy smiled faintly as Steve took his hand, "I'm sorry...Pon'...I'll stay here...for you...and for the gang."
Johnny steadied Ponyboy as Steve began to vanish from the room. They were running out of time. The little helper, fed Ponyboy more of his own life-force, taking on Ponyboy's pain as much as he could. But he watched helplessly as the old one's body began to give out beneath him.
The old one layback on his bed, his breathing was easier but the pain was beginning to dull his eyes.
"What will happen when I die, little one, Johnny?" The question was faint, almost impossible to make out over the roaring thunder clouds outside.
Johnny touched the old's man face, finding the scars from rumbles and laugh lines etched into his features.
"It's beautiful, the place you'll go to. It's beauty and light and friends...have you ever felt pure happiness before?" Johnny asked.
Ponyboy choked on his words but his eyes drifted to the couch where his daughter slept with her children. Johnny nodded his little head in understanding. He watched as the old one formed his lips into the shape of a silent kiss.
"What do you wish old one? There is only a bit more time left....for me to help you...show me..." Johnny gently touched his forehead to Ponyboy's, forming a link between them.
Instantly a sunset as brilliant as Johnny had ever seen burst into bloom outside of Ponyboy's window. The old man could not see it, but he saw the light on Johnny's face and the wonder in his eyes...and that was enough for him.
The sunrise was beautiful with the bright hue of pink mingling with the shimmering pale blue of the sky.
The pain was fading now, the light dimming in the old one's eyes as the sun rose in the evening.
"Stay...with me...?" The old one whispered in his last breath. "alone...."
Johnny felt the life drifting from Ponyboy's old broken body. The sunrise warmed the little one's heart and he shed tears of happiness for the old one.

Tears of joy.
"I'll stay with you" Johnny kissed the old one's cheek gently, "Your time is here. You'll soon see it's very beautiful there."

Johnny was there when the Old One's spirit rose from his body. His spirit developed into the form a young boy. With reddish brown hair, a lean build and kind green-gray eyes, the boy gently wiped the tears from Johnny's cheeks.
"Wonder if Paul Newman's where I'm going..." the boy winked the pain gone from his face.
As Ponyboy rose in the sky, Johnny stayed below. His life force was almost gone and the pain of Ponyboy's body had left him without the energy to fly.
The Voice spoke then kindness seeming to radiate from the sunset, "You may go, little one. Your punishment is finished, go with the Old one."
The small one was lifted after Ponyboy into the sunset.

Steve Randle sat alone by the window in the nursing home. Slowly he was mumbling to himself or maybe he was speaking to the brilliant sunrise.
"....Then leaf subsides to leaf..
So Eden sank to grief
So dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay....".

A/n
Well that was an adventure...I'm sorry it took so long to finish...but I wanted to explore what the characters might be like in the future. As in real real old. I gave it my best shot and I can't ask for more from myself, thanks for reviewing, luv ya lots!