All for Myself {dallyboy}

Resolutions

{Dally's POV}

I wheeze and huff, still running down the street, Pony's house within sight. He was able to outrun me, weaving through streets to escape me. I can't believe he's trying his hardest to get away from me. I'm supposed to be the one he runs to, the one who protects him and makes him feel safe. I'm supposed to be his home. And now he's running away from me.

The thought sends tears down my cheeks as I push myself to run faster down the pavement. This can't be the end. This can't be the end of us. I'd do anything to show him, cheating is something I could never do to him.

I make it to the fence with rugged breaths, making my way quickly to the gate. I open it and run to the porch steps. I can hear muffled crying coming from inside, the pained sobs breaking my heart as I go to the door. Before I reach the handle, the door flies open and reveals my worst nightmare right now: Darrel.

"The fuck have you done?" He says, wide eyed and holding his finger to my chest threateningly.

"Darry! I-It's a misunderstanding! Pony thought I was cheating on him with Johnny but I wasn't! I swear, I love him so much, I would fucking never, you know that!"

Darry just looks at me sternly, still hearing his brothers crying from inside the house. He looks me up and down, seeing the tears stinging my eyes and rolling down my face. He turns his head to listen to his brother crying, before whipping his head back around to face me.

"I think you should go Dallas."

"w-what?"

"You heard me. Go."

"n-no, Darrel, y-you don't understand, man, I-I can make this right, Johnny got hurt and I was-"

"Get out." He turns around roughly and opens the door, walking into the living room. He closes the screen door and holds onto the handle to keep it shut, looking to me.

"You need to give him space right now. Go on, Dallas." He then shuts the front door. I sink to my knees and lean against the wall by the door. Darry said he could take Ponyboy away from me, and I knew it was true. It all seems so hopeless. I can't leave, even if I wanted to.

All I can do is lean against the wall and silently let the tears fall down my face. I don't sob or heave, I'm trying to stay put together, silently hoping Ponyboy will come outside and talk to me.

As dusk falls over town, my eyes grow heavier and heavier. I know it's no use. Even if Pony wanted to see me right now, Darry wouldn't let him. Johnny still needs my help. I hopelessly get up from the floor and dust myself off, hanging my head for the walk back to Bucks. I remember the photos from my wallet, still on the bar floor. That's all I had to look forward to tonight.

•••

{Pony's POV}

I hear the front door close faintly as I pull up the sheets in clumps to my face. I just want to hide in the bed forever and never get out. The soft stomping of feet getting closer to my room stops at my door. I hear a small knock before a voice.

"It's Darry."

"c-come in."

He opens the door gently, a concerned look on his face. He steps to the bed and sits on the edge, looking at me with pity.

"Pony- I sent him away, ok? He came to the door and I told him you need your space. Now, tell me, what's got you so upset? Did you catch him and Johnny doing something?"

"h-how'd you know-?"

"He was trying to tell me about a misunderstanding. Something about Johnny getting hurt. What did you see?"