Oh, Lordy

3

My brothers get home and Steve leaves, making it seem like he couldn't wait to get away from me. I know that he don't mean it so I pretend the same, gotta keep my brothers fooled. Soda sits down next to me on the couch and Darry sits across from me. I look at both of them and see that Darry's got a weird look in his eye, Soda looks as confused at him as me though.

"Ponyboy, if I ask you a question will you be honest?" "Sure, Dare." He nods and sighs. "Why did you look nervous when we talked bout those gay men that Two-Bit saw? And I want the truth this time. You looked nervous hell maybe scared. Are you gay or somethin?" "Oh c'mon Darry, Pony ain't gay." "What if I was?" I spoke up, sorta wish I didn't though. Soda looks at me in confusion and I can't even look at Darry to see what he thinks.

"Are you?" "I am. Got a problem?" "No! It's not what I expected but I don't mind it. Shoot least we don't gotta worry bout Pony knocking up some broad, right Dare?" Soda laughs it off a bit and smiles at me. I take a deep breath and look at Darry, who has his face covered by a hand. I start to get nervous and I know that Soda can tell, he wraps his arm around my back.

"Darry?" "When were you gonna tell us?" "Soon, just got scared." "That ain't smart, Ponyboy. Being gay out here ain't a good thing." "Being gay ain't a choice, Darrel." I stand up and look at him, he stands up too. "Watch your mouth." "Or what? Ya know, this is exactly why I ain't ever said anythin! I knew that you wouldn't like it." "It ain't normal!" "It's as normal as you being straight is! And ya know what? The couple that Two-Bit saw today, I was part of that!" Darry and I start yelling at each other, he looks mega pissed at me. Soda tries to step between us but Darry snaps at him.

"Don't you defend him, Sodapop Curtis!" "You lay off him, Darrel!" The next thing I knew, I was on the floor and my face hurt somethin awful. I look up to see Darry staring at his fist and I figured it out, Darry hit me. He looks at me with regret and guilt in his eyes. He lets out a shaky breath and Soda helps me up.

"Ponyboy I- Wait Pony!" The moment Soda got me to my feet, I ran. I ignore all the voices that I hear calling after me. I hear footsteps running behind me but I don't turn around, sounds like only one guy anyways. I get to the lot and just collapse onto the mattress that's there. I bawl into my hands, hoping whoever followed me just backs off. I feel arms wrap around me and a pair of lips on the back of my neck, Steve followed me. I turn and sob into his chest.

"What happened, baby?" "Darry questioned me again like before at the DX... They know now... Soda don't care that I'm gay but Darry don't like it. He hit me when I stuck up for Soda when he defended me." I bawl harder, hugging Steve for comfort. He can tell that I need to feel safe and tightens his arms around me. He pulls me into his lap and I just cry, needin to get it out. I hear footsteps runnin towards us and I groan.

"Shhh it's Johnny, Two-Bit, and Soda, I see em." I just tighten my arms around Steve. Someone kneels next to us but I don't look. "Darry better stay as far away as he can I ain't afraid to fight em." "You know that ain't smart." "I don't give a shit, Cade! He punched my boyfriend in the face I'll skin him!" "Wait, Steve that's why you went home with em from the DX?" "Yeah we got together today, the gay guys that Two-Bit saw was us. Got a problem, Soda?" "No. At least I know my brother is with a good man." I look at Soda and turn to hug him, Steve very reluctant to let me go. Under the street lamp, my bruised face is more visible. Steve looks ready to murder when he sees my face. I grab his hand and kiss his knuckles, tryin to get him to calm down. He kisses my head and hugs me close.

"You ain't goin back home. C'mon, my folks won't be home for a week at least. Yer stayin with me." "Steve I can't just burden you like that, I ain't no freeloader." "Yer right, yer my boyfriend not a freeloader. And I can't just let you go home and risk gettin hurt again." Steve lifts my chin by one finger, makin our eyes meet. I can feel the other three guys watching us, but all I can focus on is Steve.

"Ponyboy Curtis I love you and I ain't lettin you put yerself in danger to not bug me." "I love you too, Steve Randle." "Then let's go, it's cold and I don't wanna wait for Darrel to come out and find you." I nod and stand up, kissing him gently before hugging the other guys. Soda smiles at me and raises an eyebrow at Steve, smile still on his lips.

"Treat my brother right. You may be my best friend but he's my brother, I'm glad he has a great guy lovin him though." Steve smiles and hugs Soda. "If Darry asks, say I said I was goin to my boyfriend's. Go home alone so that Johnny and Two-Bit don't get questioned. Tell him I didn't say who my boyfriend was and if he asks you two, say you couldn't find me. I don't wanna see him for a while." Soda nods and heads back home, Johnny and Two-Bit leaving as well. Steve and I walk back to his place, he put his jacket on me when I shivered.

When we got to Steve's house, we toed our shoes off and lied down next to each other on his bed. Steve never locks his door, but he did this time. He takes his shirt off and examines my bruise, kissing it gently. He presses his forehead to mine and sighs.

"I'm so sorry, Pony. Let's put some ice on that." "Wait. Can we just go to sleep? It's dark anyways and I just want today over." He nods and pulls me close, letting me use his chest as a pillow. I wrap my arms around his middle and he holds me close to his body, kissing my hair once before pulling the blanket on us.

"I love you, Ponyboy. And I ain't gonna let no one hurt you again." "I love you too, please don't leave my side." I barely hear him as I fall asleep to the sound of his heart beating.

"I won't."