Night Falls Hard, But I Fall Harder (one shot)

Night Falls Hard, But I fall Harder

Why me? Why did I have to be the one to get jumped. Why did I have to be stupid enough to be walking home at the dead of night. Why did I let my pride and status get ahold of me like that? I know I get called stupid sometimes, but maybe they really mean it. Curly Shepard, part of the notorious Shepard gang getting jumped and roaming around at night. Pathetic.

I'm walking around aimlessly in the middle of the night searching for something. I don't know what, but my head feels like it's beating me up itself and so is the rest of my body. Everything aches and hurts. It's like I can feel almost all of the damn cuts and bruises on me at once. I know I'm gonna have a pretty shinner in the morning when I wake up. But that doesn't stop the fact I'm still walking around.

I can feel my feet dragging me along, I don't know where. As long as it's somewhere I could possibly rest and get patched up I couldn't give a damn. But I speak too soon and end up at the porch of the infamous Curtis house. I know they leave their door unlocked, for anyone to just walk in. But anyone doesn't mean everyone, and that is damn sure the case with me. I know the Curtis Brothers don't like me much, maybe cause of my rebellious record or maybe they just don't like me. I couldn't care any less, but now thinking maybe one of them can help me.

Ponyboy sure is a dream, I'll tell you that. I always find him daydreaming off and zoning out anytime he can. It's admirable to be honest. I wish I could just zone out like that without any worries at all. I mean I'm sure he still has things to watch out for, but he looks almost content everytime I see him. Pretty green eyes with speckles of brown just peering out. I always find myself lost in those daydreamer eyes. They make me feel seen, safe even.

Not only that, but he's pretty tuff as well. I see him participating in rumbles and out on the streets sometimes. He looks like he has a cool demeanor and he acts that way as well. Not only that, but his hair is just as tuff. Auburn hair greased and slicked back into precise directions. He really takes pride in it, and he should. His hair is beautiful.

I've been stalling.. I look up at the door and I just stare. What am I supposed to do? I mean I could open the door and act like I don't give a damn, but what if Darry's up? Or maybe Sodapop is awake and in the living room? Maybe he's in the kitchen getting a glass of water. What if Pony is actually asleep.. I could just walk in and just make myself at home and I'm sure they wouldn't even notice either. But why should I care? I mean I've never cared to much before, so why should I know.

I slowly lift my arm up and painstakingly turn the knob. I push myself inside and just stand at the entrance of the house. It smells like chocolate cake and beer. It's making me sick. I guess my body was also sick because my headache was starting to get worse and I considered if it really was a bad idea to come here. Maybe I can just walk out and pretend I never even walked in?

Just before I can walk out the door I hear a loud whisper coming from the hallway, "Hello? Dally, is that you man?" I guess it's too late now. I'm sure I could just play quiet and head out. Pretend I was never there and maybe that familiar voice I've grown to love won't know. But his voice is just so inviting and something in me tells me off and I end up replying anyways.

"Nah, just me baby Curtis," I whisper back, I can hear my voice Crack and oh man don't don't just sound so tuff right now. I peer into the dark of the house, where I assume the hallway is and I can see a head poke out from the corner. I can't really see anything, but boy aren't I so glad to see something similar to someone I know.

"What the hall are ya doin' here? Its almost one in the morning," he calls back in almost a hasty voice, "You know what will happen if Darry wakes up or Soda." I feel  myself cringe as I slowly shove my hands into my jacket pockets. My headache is getting worse by the minute, and I'm tired, and I'm hurt, and I just want to see him now. But hearing that voice, even in the most harshest of tones or softest, I can't help but feel better, knowing that he's at least there.

"Yeah yeah, Darry will skin me alive.." I muttered. "I just got in a bit of a fight with some dumb soc's. They beat me up pretty good, but I still won." I replied back, in a snarky proud tone. I'm happy that I at least won. I don't think I look like I did. I walk over to what I could make out was a couch and just plop myself down. Resting my head on the arm of the couch and laying my arms on my chest. I could at least attempt to get comfortable.

I can heard him sigh and shuffle over to me and sit next to me. "Well are you okay? I mean, you don't look good." He says. I can feel him eyeing me. The little amount of light in the room from the window is shining on my face, in my eyes. But thats not enough to stop me from looking back up at him. His auburn hair is practically shining in the moonlight. His eyes are scanning me up and down and I can't even complain right now. He's looks amazing, he always looks amazing. Even if he's got a scolding, worried look on his face.

I can feel myself smirk, "Don't I always look good though." I wish I couldve said something else. Something less smart, but nothing else comes to mind.

The only in my mind right now is Pony. His looks, personality, the way he talks to me, how he talks in general could send me over the moon. He always manages to make me speechless without even trying to. He talks to me like I'm an equal, and not like I'm some dumb delinquent who's had their fair share of rumbles, fights, and the slammer. He treats me like I'm really someone and I couldn't ask of anything more.

I watch him roll his eyes at that with a faint blush sliding across his face. It looks cute. "Yeah I'm alright," I nod, "Maybe just a little scuffed up. Say, do you have any bandaids or somethin'?" I move one of my arms from off my chest to move and prop myself up. I look at him, and I just can't help but smile. I couldn't be so glad to be here instead of anywhere else in my life.

He nods, "Yeah, yeah, just follow me. And stay quiet why don't ya?"  He nods off in the direction of the hallway and gets up to start walking. I stand up and walk after him. I love this man more than I could bare, but for now I'll just let him help me patch up. I know that I'll tell him one day, or maybe he already knows