Daddy

Summary: Maybe it was more than just a slip of the tongue. Sucky summary but cute one-shot.

Lazy Saturdays had always been Ponyboy's favorite. Homework was usually done by late afternoon (or put off in Two Bit's and Dally's case), and the cool evenings that followed always ended with touch football and a stop at the store for ice cream.

By the end of this particular night, the gang had crashed into the living room, the television set on. Ponyboy and Johnny sat on the floor, backs resting against the couch. The rest of the gang was either on the couch or straddling chairs. Around 11:30, countless episodes of Mickey Mouse had begun to wear him out, and Ponyboy's head began to loll.

Darry shook his shoulder. "Hey, Pony, you can go to bed if you want to."

Eventually Ponyboy pulled himself out of his dreamless sleep, mumbling drowsily, "Huh, what'd you say, Daddy?" Ponyboy's drooping eyes flew open, realizing what he had just said.

Two-Bit, Steve, Soda, and Dally (he and Johnny didn't die) busted out laughing. Johnny sat quietly, his own eyes drooping, but even he had a small smile on his face.

Ponyboy flushed a deep red. "Darry, you guys, I said Darry."

Two-Bit snorted. "Yeah, sure, kid."

The only person who didn't seem amused was Darry. He wasn't mad about it just surprised. "Lay off you guys."

The laughing went down to a silent snicker. Nobody wanted Darry to get too upset.

Ponyboy stormed out of the room muttering, "Gosh, you guys are so immature."

Later that night, everyone had either crashed on the couch or on the floor. Darry was still up reading the newspaper when Ponyboy started having a nightmare in the other room. It had been happening more and more lately, since his and Johnny's horrible week.

Darry's ears picked up on a noise. Stepping over the sleeping bodies he made his way to Ponyboy's room.

Ponyboy thrashed in the blankets, moaning and groaning, tears streaming down his face.

"Darry," he whimpered. "Soda."

His nightmares were always about one of the gang, even Steve. Sometimes he'd call for their parents.

Darry walked over to the bed and shook him. "Pony, Ponyboy. Wake up."

He awoke and looked at Darry with crossed eyes. "Soda?"

"No, it's just me Ponyboy."

"Darry, can you- can you hold me?" Ponyboy was still half asleep and scared out of his wits.

"Sure, Pony, sure."

Darry hesitantly crawled in and wrapped his arms around Ponyboy, who continued to whimper. "Shh, shh it's okay, baby."

Ponyboy eventually began to calm down. "Good night, Daddy."

Darry sighed and smiled slightly. "'Night, Pony."

(A/N): Yeah! I love it when Darry and Pony bond. My friend thought it was weird when Soda called Pony "honey" and Darry called him "baby" in the book but I thought it was kind of cute so I put it here. Please review!