Fold (Dallypop)

Chapter Two: Home & Family

(Darry's POV)

The morning was cold and the dew had set. I looked through the fridge, trying to find something to make for breakfast. I found a carton of eggs and had made up my mind.

Pony, Soda, and I all like our eggs differently. It's a bit of a hassle but nothing that I can't handle.

I heard a loud thud that sounded like it came from the living room. I looked around the corner and saw Dallas, asleep on the floor, and Steve pressed up against the back of the couch, sleeping as well. I assumed the thud was Dallas falling off of the couch.

It had just turned seven in the morning, and as if on cue, Soda walked out of his and Pony's room, yawning.

"Mornin' Darry," he said tiredly, "Dally still here?"

"Yeah, he fell off the couch. Apparently him and Steve were sleeping buddies last night."

"Dallas and Steve?" Soda asked.

I nodded, cracking open an egg for breakfast. It sizzled instantly as it hit the pan. Soda walked over to the boys in the living room. He took one of the throw pillows from the couch and placed it under Dallas' head.

"Probably better than the floor ain't it?" Soda asked Dallas, who was still asleep.

I smiled weakly as I leaned back on the counter, letting the egg cook. Ponyboy walked past me through the kitchen, not saying anything. He stared at the little scene occurring in the living room.

"Uh- what happened?" Pony asked nobody in particular.

"Steve squished himself into a spot on the couch, so Dallas fell off." Soda replied calmly.

I brought out a plate of food, eggs with grape jelly. I had no clue how the kid didn't get sick.

"Soda, breakfast."

He jumped up and ran to the table. Ponyboy sat down next to him, waiting for his food. A couple minutes later I came out with two plates, one for me, one for Pony.

Pony immediately dug into his food like he was starving. I made myself an egg sandwich with bacon and tomatoes.

Soda finished quickly and got up and put his dish in the sink. He ran over and woke up Steve.

"Stevie get up, we have to go to work."

Steve woke up, looking groggy. He stepped up off the couch, not knowing Dallas was on the floor.

"Steve! Steve-" I yelled trying to stop him.

Too late. Steve tripped right over Dallas, waking both of them right up.

"Fuck! Ow..." Dally hollered.

Steve started laughing like he was drunk, which he wasn't. Because it's a Friday and he had work. And I'd set him straight if he ever drank on a work night.

"Steve, shut the fuck up before I rip your throat out!!" Dally yelled.

"Dallas calm down it was an accident." Soda intervened.

"And watch your language, I don't tolerate swearing under this roof." I added.

Soda went into the bathroom and pulled out a cotton ball drenched in rubbing alcohol and a gauze. I had no idea what for until Dallas gave Soda his hand.

We (Steve and I,) watched as Soda cleaned his wounds and rewrapped the bandage with a clean gauze. Dallas was looking up at Soda and smiling the whole time.

Dally didn't squirm with Soda, like he did when I dressed his wounds. He always went on this rant about how he was tuff and didn't need anybody taking care of him. Yet here he was, Dallas Winston, the rough and tuff greaser, letting Soda tend to him.

Two-bit and Johnny walked in together a couple minutes later. They were talking about heading to a movie later.

"Can, I um... go see a movie, Darry?" Pony spoke up.

"Pony, you-" I started.

"Yeah, c'mon Pony come with us." Johnny added.

Was no one listening to me? Pony turned to get my approval. I sighed quietly.

"Be back by nine... you have school."

Sodapop headed towards the door, he looked ready to start his day.

"Steve, c'mon we gotta get to work." Soda said calmly.

"Soda, shoes." Steve smirked

Soda sighed, I knew he hated wearing shoes. He went on about being faster without them. Besides, he was waiting for the day Steve would forget to remind him. Soda ran to his room and walked out, shoes in hand. He didn't even put them on.

Steve and Soda walked out to my truck as I grabbed my tool belt. Hopefully they'd be patient and wait.

I walked out of the house and threw my tool belt in the back of my truck. I hopped in and drove off. Out of the corner off my eye I could see Soda leaning out of the window, waving to someone.

"Did ya see the way Dally looked at ya?" Steve whispered over to Soda.

Soda was in the passenger seat and I was in the driver's seat, Steve sat between us. He leaned over almost like he didn't want me to hear their conversation.

"It doesn't matter Steve, it meant nothin'. Dally was still wakin' up." Soda replied, not-so-quietly.

"Yeah, sure buddy. Dallas Winston, smiling at ya meant nothin'." Steve added as he leaned back in his seat.

I sighed and sped up slightly. I didn't have the time for their squabbling. Dropping them off at the DX was a relief. Steve wouldn't shut up.