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"Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away
and going away means forgetting."

 J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan

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It had been three days since Mary and John had fallen to their deaths, and today was the day their funeral was being held. Like all cliché funeral days, it was dark and gloomy as clouds slowly moved to cover up the sun while everyone gathered around the burial site. Every circus performer attended the somber occasion, and Faith stood loyally right beside Dick. She was the only one there that truly understood what Dick was going through, and Dick took comfort in that tragic fact.

The man, Bruce Wayne, who had spoken with Dick earlier in the week was also there. He stood a couple of paces behind Dick and Faith and kept a watchful eye on the children. True to his words, Bruce Wayne had paid for the entire ceremony giving the late Mr. and Mrs. Grayson the best he could provide for them for their journey into the afterlife.

It was a dreary day with everyone clad in shades of black and dark gray. Even the animals who were generally rambunctious had a sense that something depressing was taking place that day and remained fairly calm.

The water works soon began when the caskets were closed and then lowered into the ground. Dick kept a tight grip on one of Faith's hand as he watched his parents go into the ground, his eyes were completely dried out from crying earlier in the week. Faith stood next to Dick, her hand slightly numb due to how hard he clutching on to her. She didn't mind it really. Faith was just returning the favor that Dick had provided for her when her parents had passed away.

When the coffins were entirely covered up with dirt, the crowd began to slowly disperse. Many of them had stopped by Dick placing a hand on his shoulder to show their condolences while others pulled him into a tight hug. When it was just Faith, Dick, and Bruce left, Dick collapsed down onto the ground where his parents were now buried.

"I'll be in the car at the front whenever you're ready to leave, Dick," spoke Bruce in a quiet tone before walking away leaving the kids alone to say their goodbyes. Dick reached up and grabbed Faith's hand dragging her down onto the ground next to him.

The two friends sat there in silence not uttering a single word to each other. Each of them gathering their thoughts and preparing themselves for the inevitable departure. It was Dick who finally broke the silence first.

"I'm not saying goodbye, Faith, because I'm not letting this be the last time I see you."

"You know where I'll be. You can visit anytime. I'm sure no one here will have a problem with you coming back to visit."

"I'll be back before you know it," promised Dick, his hand having a mind of their own as the pulled on the grass around him.

"You better call every single day, Dick," warned Faith, her voice slightly cracking half-way through the sentence as she tried to hold back her tears that threaten to fall down her face at any moment.

"You're on speed dial."

At that Faith let out a laugh, and Dick for the first time in this week, smiled. However, that smiled quickly went away just as fast as it had appeared. Slowly pulling himself up onto his feet, Dick then reached down and helped Faith up. The two stood facing each other with Dick just a couple inches taller than Faith. Blue eyes met blue eyes, and that's when Faith knew he was going to say goodbye even if he didn't.

She knew that Dick wouldn't be able to visit. She knew that he was lying to the both of them.

"I'll be back," the dreaded words escaped from Dick's mouth. Dick's eyes were apologetic as he watched the tears fall down Faith's face. Carefully, Dick brushed away the tears and gave Faith a peck on the cheek before slowly backing away from his best friend towards where Bruce's car was parked.

Faith stood there alone beside the late Graysons and watched as Dick got into the black car with Bruce and drove away for the last time.

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word count: 711