Tragic Kingdom (80s/90s imagines)

71: Sodapop Curtis (The Outsiders)

Your heart dropped to the pit of your stomach when Sodapop told you. You looked over at Darry, hoping he'd indicate that this was some cruel joke Soda was playing on you, but his glassy eyes only confirmed it. Sodapop Curtis had been drafted.

You had two weeks together before he had to leave. You decided to spend as much of it together as you could, with respect to his brothers. You were at the boys' house for meals every other night, and Soda would drive you and Ponyboy around town just to pass time when there wasn't much else to do.

A couple nights before his departure, you broke down. He had taken you dancing, and you had just gotten in the car to leave when you were suddenly overwhelmed by the emotions inside you. The tears you had managed to hold back when he told you came flooding out.

"Oh, baby," he whispered sadly. He put his hand on your back, slowly stroking to calm you down.

You took a few hiccuped breaths and rubbed away the salt streams from your cheeks. "I don't know what I'll do without you for so long."

He massaged your shoulder before moving closer and pressing his lips to your temple. "I love you so so much." Never taking his hands from you, he pulled back. "Hey, look at me. Look at me with those pretty eyes you've got. Yeah, there they are." He smiled as you turned your head to face him, sniffling. "You will be fine. I'll be home before you know it. You'll hardly have time to miss me."

You two had talked about getting married before but had ultimately decided that neither of you were ready to bear the weight. He was constantly trying to find better work opportunities, and you were just a couple years out of high school. But tonight, more than ever, you both wanted to belong to each other. You both thought it, though neither of you said a word about it.

The day he left, you went with the guys to the bus station to wish him well. Two-bit needed to go to work, so he said his goodbyes first.

"Listen, Sodapop, you're gonna do great, kid. Ain't a doubt in my mind that you'll come home, hair still in place and that movie star smile still shining."

They hugged before Two headed out.

As the bus approached the stop, Steve took next. He pulled Soda into a tight hug. "I might just follow you out there. Can't let you run amuck out there without me." He smiled, but everyone could see the pain in his eyes.

"Even the U.S. Army couldn't keep you in line, and you know it," Soda teased.

Steve enlisted the next week.

Darry prodded Ponyboy to go next.

The younger boy, now a man, though still so tender, didn't utter a word as he gave his brother a long hug. He hadn't even bothered to grease his hair that morning, and it flopped in his face when he pulled away.

Soda flashed his goofy grin at him. "Don't you get into any trouble while I'm gone. Keep writing, okay? I want long letters every chance you get."

Ponyboy gave a weak smile and nodded.

Darry took Soda's hand and gave it a firm shake before embracing him. "Do what you're told, and don't be a hero. We need our peacemaker back here with us."

"Speaking of which," Soda lowered his voice. "Take it easy on Pony while I'm gone. I don't want letters saying he got kicked out or anything."

The brothers agreed and separated.

It was your turn. Darry, Ponyboy, and Steve decides to give you some privacy and began their own conversation.

You looked up at him and smiled sadly. "I don't know what to say other than come back to me." You dropped the smile. "I mean it, Sodapop Curtis. You come home to me, or I'll go to Vietnam myself and drag you back."

He shook his head, smiling, and leaned down and kissed you. You melted right into him.

"I love you, Y/n."

"I love you too."

You stayed at the bus station long after you could no longer see the bus.
__________

You checked the papers everyday. You stayed informed on as much of the war as you could and hoped and prayed Soda would be the next one home.

He sent a couple letters when he could, but otherwise, there was very little from him. You tried to imagine Soda in battle. He always loved to fight, but nothing like this. Your heart ached knowing that when he came home he wouldn't be the same.

You went to the Curtis' home once or twice a week just to check in with Darry and, primarily, Pony. You knew they liked knowing you were managing to keep face.

It was over a year before another letter came.

Dear Ponyboy (and everyone else),

I never seen so much rain in my life. I haven't had paper to write home, and this is all I've got now, so I'll be quick. We march a lot, through mud up to my knees. And then there's a lotta shooting. I miss home. I miss you all. I miss not smelling like dog shit all the time. I hope everybody's doing just fine. Don't miss me too much. I'll be back soon enough.

Yours,
Sodapop P. Curtis

Ponyboy had read the letter aloud the day it came in the mail, as you happened to be there. He took a long sigh and folded the letter up.

You could see the splotches where water had dropped onto the page, smearing the ink here and there. You hoped it was from the rain and not Soda's tears.

Not 6 months later, you answered your phone and your heart stopped momentarily.

"Y/n," Ponyboy sobbed into your ear. "Soda..." You knew before he finished. "He's not coming home."

You felt your body go numb. The phone slipped from your hand and bounced on the floor. Your knees gave out and suddenly you were curled on the floor, moaning.

It took your mother three hours to coax you off the floor. And it was a couple days before you could even leave your room.

I'll be home before you know it.

You only wished it wasn't in a coffin.

Am I sad over this? Yes. Do I regret writing it? Not at all.

Also, I actually did a little research for this one bc not gonna lie, even as the kid of two Army vets, I don't know the first thing about the military. Let alone the Vietnam War era, so yeah.

M'kay.

~Mariah