Wild Roses and Thorn Bushes -

Ch. 1 Drive Ins & Loving You

If anyone had asked Ponyboy Curtis just four months prior if he was going to end up dating Dally Winston after the death of his best friend he would have called them Two-Bit kinda crazy. Never in his wildest dreams did he believe that he'd be sitting next to said delinquent in a Drive-In movie with the comforting heavy weight of his arm thrown over his shoulder. Honestly Pony still felt it was hard to believe even after they'd been real dating for three months and fake dating for a month prior to that. 

Dally on the other hand held his own disbelief, the bookish red haired teen curled into his side was his. He never thought he'd have a shot with Ponyboy, hell he'd admit he never really thought of him that way till he offered the fake dating scheme of playing bodyguard.

Though over the month of being so close and cuddling the younger teen he saw what no one else seemed too, not even Johnny who had practically never shut up about his best friend. Going on about the youngest Curtis who was the best of all of them greases, one who didn't steal or cuss or even drink. The teen who noticed sunsets and read books, one who was good in school and who's front door was always open for anyone who wanted to wander in.

Dally would admit he didn't pay much attention to all that, ashamed to admit that though Pony was his buddy he never knew much about him all he knew was that facade that even Johnny believed.

Now though he knew the auburn teen almost as well as he knew himself. Dal knew that Pony was wild, once that facade had crumbled like too dry cake, he showed just how wild he was. Having no issuing taking off with little to no word, fighting like it was an all in rumble though it was just a street fight. Always carried a blade, one he kept sharp enough to split hairs. Speaking of hairs his hair had changed too, still that southern soda red but kept completely ungreased now.Ponyboy Curtis had become unrecognizable compared to his old self, the authentic Ponyboy was as rough and wild as they come. The only one who held a candle to him was Dally himself and he held no issue with the competition. 

Neither knew what movie was playing in front of them, honestly too enamored with each other to really care to find out. They had of course snuck in like they do so that didn't honestly help on what the movie was. It was some beach film guessing by the girls in swimsuits but other than that it held no importance to them. The pair of greasers where only snapped from their thoughts of each other when none other than Two-bit Matthews plopped down next to them and proclaimed loudly "Goddamn y'all really looked like a couple of love sick puppies, kinda gross honestly"

"No one asked you Two-bit, you're just jealous you ain't got anybody" Ponyboy piped up first, while leaning all the more into his beau's side.

With a huff and as much of a pout as the older greaser allow. He lounged back in the chair taking a swig from the beer he had in a brown paper bag "Yeah yeah. I can get any dame I want, I just choose not ta"

"Sure Two, how you act 'round women you sure you don't wanna beau instead?" Dal shot while pulling Pony into his lap which caused the other to squeak a bit.

Flustered Two-bit took another swig from his beer hidden in the dark paper bag, the eldest teen wouldn't admit to being gay, he'd been chasing dames and tailing skirts since he was old enough to walk on his own. Mainly though because that was the norm of then and now with times changing here in Tulsa well, he didn't know if he was allowed to admit it or not. 

A heavy hand clasped down on the brunette's shoulder and snapped him from his thoughts "You ok man? I've been askin' you if you wanted anything from the stand for a while now, you that into that cheesy beach movie?" 

"Huh? Oh nah I ain't into shit like this just too drunk to care much for what on, but yeah sure I'll take a coke and corn if you're buying" Looking up at Dally he shrugged off his hand and took another sip only to find his bottle empty, causing him to chuck it against the fence satisfied by the muffled sound of breaking glass. 

With a slow nod Dal walked over to his beau Ponyboy who was waiting for him halfway. Both held a worried look for their friend yet both held by the rule of not talking about it, they knew Two-bit would talk about it when he was ready to. Leaning into his taller boyfriends side Pony giggled softly to himself, thoughts of their plans coming back to the forefront of thought.   

"Hey Dal?" The auburn teen asked looking up to meet those melted icy eyes with an innocent tilt of is head. 

A chuckled rumbled from the olders chest as he responded "Yeah Pone?" 

"We still heading back out to Windrixville for summer break?" Bouncing on his toes Pony tilted his head more looking more like a puppy than a fourteen year old. 

"Yeah, even called the old man up and got a discount again on the house, same house as before too doll" Dally led the shorter male through the concession line by a hand on the back of his head. 

With a playful pout Pony gave into the leading, honestly with how he acted sometimes you'd never take him for a rough tough grease ready to break your nose for looking at him wrong. Most that did make the mistake of thinking he was still a pushover that was easy to jump either got the full brunt of Pony, switch blade and all, or they had to deal with Dally and if they drew the short stick of the lot then they had to deal with the pair tag teaming. When Dally and Pony teamed up to jump you as revenge or because they were bored and hell you rubbed them wrong once well, those were the nightmarish rumors that traveled around Tulsa. 

Socs who used to jump the youngest Curtis stopped almost completely, the dumb rich kids who got drunk enough to do deathly dares would try to provoke the the pair into a fight. Those who were brave enough that was, some even drunk as a skunk on a tuesday wouldn't take such a dare. 

Ponyboy was the rose of Tulsa's east side when he was in a good mood, his cooking made it into everyone's houses as leftovers or takeovers cause they didn't feel good. Dally and Pony had become the new Mr. & Mrs. Curtis of the east side, and just like them you cross them the wrong way and you were met with thorns and a briar bush. 

Life sure had changed for the east side in the last couple of months and not a person was complaining. Darry had gotten upset at first but he settled into it all fine and dandy, even got used to Dally being over every other night or Pony going over to Bucks to stay with him. Times were changing in Tulsa with Pony and Dal at the front of the line, everybody else was just along for the hectic wild ride. 

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Word Count - 1270