A/N Here's something I typed up last night when I wasn't tired… and it made me tired, so it worked! It's too long to be a drabble but too short to be called a oneshot, so… it's a… drabble-shot? Sure, why not.

Anyway, I should warn you: copious Curtis fluff here; not incest, just Soda and Pony doing what they do best. Enjoy, and leave a review on the way out!

Sodapop Curtis couldn't sleep.

He sighed, annoyed, and rolled over again. Then he rolled on his back and stared at the ceiling. Then he flipped over onto his other side, bouncing a little.

"…Soda?"

Oops.

He felt, rather than saw, his little brother stirring. "Hey Pony," he said softly. "Go back to sleep, kiddo, I didn't mean to wake you up."

Ignoring Soda's whispered words, Ponyboy yawned, rolling over so he was facing his brother. Soda smiled a little at how still-asleep Pony looked. His eyes were dull and he was snuggled under the blankets, but he seemed determined to be awake if Soda was.

"Gosh, Pony, you're stubborn," he muttered under his breath. He couldn't help but find it cute, though. Soda didn't use the word often, but it was really the only way to describe Ponyboy waking up. Cute.

Ponyboy yawned again. "You okay, Soda?"

Soda grinned into the darkness. "Sure, kid. You?"

"Mmhhhmmmm."

The bed shook slightly while Soda laughed. "Go back to sleep, Pony. Everything's fine."

"Why're you awake, then?"

Soda threw an arm around his brother and scooted a little closer. "Just can't sleep, Pony, that's all."

"Why not?"

"Hell, kid," Soda murmured into Ponyboy's hair, "I dunno."

Pony sighed contentedly, cuddled against Soda's chest. He closed his eyes for a moment. Then; "No."

"No what?"

"I ain't going back to sleep if you can't."

"Oh Ponyboy," Soda whispered, partly amused and partly annoyed. "Why not?"

"'Cause I'm always making you stay up with my nightmares and everything, it's the least I can do to stay up for you."

"Somehow I don't think Darry'll see it that way when you won't wake up tomorrow morning," Soda replied dryly.

Ponyboy mumbled something.

"Huh?"

"Who cares 'bout Darry?" Ponyboy repeated, louder.

"Shoot, Pony, you do, don't you?"

"I guess," came the mumbled reply.

Soda smiled into Ponyboy's hair. "You know you do, stop being such a mule."

"I like you better."

Soda wasn't quite sure how to take this. On one hand, he was thrilled that his little brother cared for him so much; on the other, he didn't want to be the cause of any tension between Ponyboy and Darry. Lord knows they could work up enough all by themselves. He settled for giving Pony a squeeze and saying, "Don't let Darry hear you say that."

"I won't. I ain't stupid."

Soda grinned. "I know you ain't." There was a comfortable silence. Sodapop listened to Ponyboy's deep breathing and yawned. "Go back to sleep, baby," he mumbled again.

"You gonna sleep too, Soda?"

Soda was already halfway there. He readjusted slightly, getting a better grip on Ponyboy, before sighing, "Yeah, I think I am. Sweet dreams, kiddo."

"'Night, Soda." There was a pause, then Ponyboy said, almost too quietly for Soda to hear, "Love you."

Sodapop just smiled. "I love ya too, Pony. Now shut up and let me sleep."