BLACK SHEEP | DW

018.

"i had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion"
- jack kerouac

if he did care for the boy, that seemed to have disappeared over the years as he retreated further into himself, and his only real comforts in life were shown to be a shitty six-pack of beer and western bars.

it was too much energy, caring for someone that is. but looking at johnny, with his disheveled hair and a scar that ran along his cheek, made something turn in his stomach.

Dally silently cursed, putting his cigarette out with his shoe as darry walked into the living room, as to not piss him off. "johnny man, once this court shit is done, i'm gonna make it my personal business to get the soc who did that to your face," he said roughly, pointing in the direction of the wound that was bound to leave a scar.

johnny seemed to ignore Dally's attempt to make him feel better, in whatever pathetic way that was, and instead focused on the first half of his statement.

"you have court? what happened?" he asked confused, rubbing his side as he sat properly on the couch.

laughing sarcastically, Dally brought a hand through his hair. "just a fight at the rodeo," he shrugged, to make it seem like it wasn't that big of a deal. "my lawyer's pretty sure he can get me out of it, just gotta lay low until then, you dig?"

"lawyer?" johnny asks, baffled. "how'd you afford a lawyer?"

Dally rolled his eyes at his buddy's jab to his obviously broke state. everyone knew he didn't have much money. when he wasn't sleeping at home, which was often, he was living from room to room at anyone's house who would let him stay.

the boy could go three days without a proper meal sometimes, and though it wasn't ideal, Dallas wasn't one to complain. he never excepted pity from anyone, only took advantage of opportunities, and he wasn't about to go crying "poor me" (not even when he was one of the only people who deserved to most).

"yeah you know that new broad, the one with the long hair?" Dally asked, stretching his legs out in front of him. "she got her dad to help me out. shit, i didn't even know it until he bailed me out a few days ago."

johnny's eyes lit up at the mention of the girl, playing aimlessly with the loose threads on the couch. "you mean venus?" he mutters. "what's she doing, helping you out?"

for some mysterious reason, johnny had a sick feeling about the whole circumstance. he knew venus was a good person, after all she helped him the night he got jumped, but something didn't feel right about her assisting Dally with his criminal activity.

if anything, he felt like maybe he wanted to keep her away her from that corruption. johnny looked up to Dally, yes, but he also knew how he was. he knew about all the schemes the hood could pull, and how he used people to get what he wanted; overall, johnny knew that he didn't want Dally to take advantage of venus.

"she's cool," johnny said mindlessly. "helped me out a whole lot."

Dally nodded at the kids statement. "she's alright," he commented, meeting eyes with the kid.

that was a compliment in itself. the hood hadn't gone around talking about other girls like that; the only time he ever mentioned other birds at all was when it was about how easy they were or what they could offer.

but saying the girl was alright, and not anything further, was by far a notion of respect from Dally. certainly venus had earned it. perhaps it was because she helped him out of jail, or maybe it was because she helped johnny, but something about her gained Dally's respect.

"she's having a party today," johnny said. "you going?"

Dally nodded, throwing his hand around the back of the couch before looking to darry who had been quietly reading a newspaper through their quiet conversation. "how 'bout you, darry? you in a party mood?" he joked, already expecting the answer he got.

"can't, have work tomorrow," he said bluntly, flipping the page. he met eyes with Dally, expectedly, "but if ponyboy is going you best keep an eye on him. i'm serious Dal."

"yeah, yeah. i'll watch the kid," he puts his hands up in defense, rolling his eyes.

darry had trusted him. as sly and criminal as he was, he also knew Dally wouldn't let anything happen to anyone in his gang if he could prevent it.

they had been good buddy's for a while, since Dally had moved to tulsa, and though he had a rap sheet with the police, and was always up to no good, darry and him had this silent agreement. they knew they would look out for each other.

that was how their gang was anyway. they weren't paragon's of virtue, or anything, but they weren't running around looking to hurt anyone. they just seemed to stick together, watch each other's backs.

after all, they each had something in common.

they were wounded early, and early they realized that those wounds were what made them.