Sunsets and Switchblades

Just the Two of Us (Part 8)

Curly takes Ponyboy home, but, surprisingly, none of the Gang made it before them.

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Finishing school with no surprising developments- other than Ponyboy being able to convince the teachers that the damage done to the Socs were well deserved, with a nice glare from Curly to have other students agree- Ponyboy quickly moved through the crowd of students all rushing out of school to go to any place that is better-literally anywhere. Ponyboy held his books closer to him as he scanned the crowded parking lot, looking for the stolen Mustang. A loud purr of an engine had his and many, many others turning their head to see Curly Shepard stopping by the curb and waiting for Ponyboy. A giddy feeling bubbled in Pony's chest as he bounded to the car.

Curly grinned, sharp-toothed and handsome, as he watched his boyfriend hop to the car. Feeling extra gentlemanly, Curly hopped out of the driver's seat to open Ponyboy's door for him. Pony's dazzling smile made it all worth the strange looks the other, rougher greasers gave Curly in response to seeing how wrapped he was around Pony's finger. Both of them finally settled into the car.

"You ready for me to take you home?"

Pony gave a nervous smile and fiddled with his bookbag straps, " Y-yeah, I just... I'm nervous about Darry and the Gang..."

Curly placed a comforting hand on Pony's knee with one hand and started driving away with the other, "It'll be alright, if anything goes wrong, I'll be there with you," He looked Pony in the eye for a second, his face suddenly serious, "You know I wouldn't be able to leave you no matter how much your Gang tried to get me away."

Pony breathed a sigh of relief and smiled more genuinely at Curly.

"Thank you; hopefully, it won't be that bad."

"Hell yeah! That's the spirit, baby!" Curly laughed and revved the car out of the excitement he felt.

Sooner than Ponyboy would have liked, Curly already parked in the gravel driveway and opened the car door for Pony. Pony stayed frozen in his seat with a look like a deer caught in headlights.

"You know," Pony laughed nervously, "it looks like we made it a little earlier than everyone else, so it would be totally cool if we went our own ways, I've got so much homework, it's insane, and I have to go running later to practice for meet this Friday, you know that's the only one left before the bigger tryouts start for who is going to be track captain and I've been working really hard for it so-"

"Babe."

Pony's mouth shut almost audibly and he looked up at Curly guiltily, "S-sorry, I just... I don't want anything bad to happen..."

"Hey," Curly pulled Pony out of the car gently and lightly rubbed his arms, "listen to me. Everything is going to be alright. Hell, the Gang ain't even here yet and you're acting like Darry is already behind me with an ax."

Pony only seemed to wince at the poor attempt of a joke.

Curly sighed, but lead his boyfriend up the small steps to the Curtis' front door. See Ponyboy looking so dejected and nervous made Curly's heartache and body fidgety, so he softly cupped Pony's cheeks and stared into those bright green eyes.

"If you really don't wanna do this, then I ain't gonna make you. As much as I would love for our families to be okay with us together, I understand that it's gonna be a bit difficult; and I would never do anything that made you uncomfortable or upset on purpose, doll." With that little speech done, Curly oh so softly kissed Pony's lips.

Drawing back, the green eyes Curly adored were wide in awe and pupils were blown wide. Curly's brow furrowed, thinking he broke his boyfriend but just as he was about to speak, Pony cut him off.