Who We Are(The Outsiders Fanfiction)

85|"I Miss My Baby Brother."

<Chris's POV>

Even walking downstairs and finding that Pony is not sitting on the couch reading makes me want to tear up. Of course I am ecstatic that he was accepted to college and is living his life, but he was always that little ball of light that made my day that much more special. What hurts even more is how it's affecting Soda. I watch from a distance as he slowly eats his cereal dimly, staring blankly out of the kitchen window. Darry clangs around in the kitchen, a smile on his face. What a shocking contrast compared to the facial expression Soda holds.

I walk behind Soda and place my hands on his shoulders. "Hey, the kids are sleeping, they probably won't wake up until after you leave for work," I tell him casually as I slightly massage his neck. Soda nods his head slowly.

"That's alright, I'll play with them when I get home," Soda says, tiredly. I nod slowly, biting my lip. This sadness Soda has inside of him right now is evident, and I do not know how to help him. I look to Darry for help, but find him happily eating a piece of toast. He looks to me with his mouthful.

"Golly this is great! Pony living it up in college, he really deserves this," Darry exclaims. I nod my head in agreement, but hesitantly. Soda mindlessly nods along with us. Steve comes through the front door with a smile.

"Morning Curtis's!" This is routine after all these years. Tear corns in the morning so Darry can drive he and Soda to work. Sometimes Lena comes along so we can hang out. Two-Bit too, since he is living with them right now. Steve strolls into the kitchen and plants a kiss on my cheek casually before going to Darry and patting him on the back. "Ready for work my best buddy?" Steve ask Soda, who just stands quietly and nods.

"Lets go man," Soda states. Steve knits his eyebrows together.

"What's got you so sad man? You alright?" Steve asks, concerned. I hold my breath in anticipation of Soda's reply. Soda huffs.

"I miss my baby brother, I didn't think I would miss him this much, anyways, you know I hate being the downer, let's just have a good day and hope that Pony is doing good," Soda exclaims, a slights smile playing on his lips.

"Well," I correct him, "hope he is doing well." Soda scoffs.

"Jesus Pony leaves and now your correcting me! C'mon Steve, lets roll," Soda states before kissing me on the cheek and leading Steve and Darry out the door. I sigh happily. That Soda rebounds faster than a toddler.

I walk quietly to where Josh and Wesley are sleeping in Soda and I's room. One day we are going to have to move out, Josh and Wesley can't stay in our room forever. How do I bring that up to Soda, buying our own house. That's a lot of money that we don't really have. Maybe we can talk about it a little later.

For now I throw on some clothes and grab my baby boys. The sun willingly greets my skin as I begin my walk to Skyler and Dally's place. Josh is awake and aware in my arms, taking in the details of Tulsa's streets. Meanwhile, Wesley is fast asleep, his blonde curls growing longer and darker by the day. For the first time, I think about the kid's future. What will they grow up to be? What will they look like? It's all so excited, but I never really had time to think about that.

I stroll contently into my brothers home and find everyone asleep amongst the living room/kitchen area, in various positions. Dallas has fallen asleep on the carpet in front of the couch. All three of he and Skyler's children lay atop of him, fast asleep. Also, in typical Skyler fashion, she lays asleep on the coffee table wearing only my brothers t shirt. This girl never wears pants. Johnny is asleep at the kitchen table. He is sitting in a chair, head resting on the table. What startles me is the two empty bottles of liquor next to him. Johnny has never been a heavy drinker, ever. I carefully place my two tired boys on the carpet next to a snoring Dallas. Tip-toeing across the room, I make it to Johnny and sit next to him. With a shaking hand, I rub his shoulder until he wakes up. He stares up at me groggily, his eyes bloodshot. "Hey Johnny, you good man?" Johnny sits up straight and sighs.

"I already miss him, Pone I mean, but I'm okay, I promise, the drinks just helped numb it a bit," Johnny tells me. I nod my head slightly.

"Do Skyler and Dally know?"  Johnny nods.

"Dallas wasn't happy about it, but Skyler was right there with me." I laugh a bit to myself. Of course Skyler would get fucked up with Johnny. Johnny checks his watch and widens his eyes. "You're staying here with Skyler today right?" I nod my head happily, "and Dallas isn't working, perfect." Johnny stands up, also signs of a hangover gone. He taps Dallas who wakes instantly.

"What John?" He asks grouchily.

"Come one Dal, we're going to Steve's," Johnny tells him confidently. Dallas widens his eyes a bit, as if remembering something.

"Good thinking John," Dallas carefully removes the kids from his body and stands up, "lets go." I smile at the boys spontaneous exit. Casually, I walk over to Skyler on the coffee table and shake her awake. She jumps suddenly and falls off of the low table.

"Fuck ow, morning Chris, hey hi, how are you?" Skyler blurts out, eyes wide and bloodshot, a hand to her forehead where it hit the ground. I burst out into giggles.

"Wanna trust I stay Sky?" I ask her,
amused.

"Ya hold on I found money under the table," Skyler says, crawling under the table to grab the money. She begins to slide out from under the table, but brings her head up to soon. The back of her skull slams against the bottom of the table. "Jesus shit, what is this fuckery?!" She bellows, rubbing the back of her skull as she stand up. I try to conceal my laughter, it works for the most part. Skyler places her hands on her hips. "What's up Curtis?" Skyler asks, trying to sound casual. I roll my eyes playfully.

"Well your baby is about to hit her head on the coffee table," I tell her, pointing at Tibby who is crawling in the direction of he low table. Skyler quickly bends over to pick up Tibby. Unfortunately, she bends down to quickly and her head once again hits the table as she picks up her baby girl.

Skyler grits her teeth and stands up straight, Tibby giggling in her arms. "So that's how my morning is going," Skyler remarks before looking around the room in confusion. "Where's puppy eyes and my bad boy?" Skyler questions referring to Johnny and Dallas.

"They left for Steve and Lena's a few minutes ago," I tell her. She knits her eyebrows together. "What?" I ask.

"Dallas has been at Steve and Lena's quite a lot, but Steve is always at work, something is just not adding up," Skyler states, worry laced in her voice. She widens her eyes.

"You don't think he is having an affair with Lena do you? Oh I swear I'll-"

"Skyler, calm it. First of all, Johnny is with him and secondly, Lena is madly in love with Steve. Also Two-Bit is there as well," I reassure my friend. Skyler sighs.

"You're right I'm overreacting. Still, it's concerning that he just keeps leaving, not even asking if I wanna come along," Skyler tells me. I frown.

"Talk to him about it when he gets home, okay?" I suggest. Skyler smiles.

"What would I do without you little Mrs. Curtis."

A/N this chapter is really short, unedited, and all over the place. Sorry about that, I have like five seconds to post this so here it goes!

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