A/N: Ugh, I am so sorry for the long wait between chapters. Thank you so much for the reviews last chapter!

"You okay, little buddy?" Darry leaned anxiously over Soda's cot, his brow furrowed. Mrs. Curtis came forward, hands reaching to touch both her boys.

"I'm alright," Soda replied, his grimace wavering to be replaced by something sunnier. He was probably the only ten-year-old in the world who could smile through a break in both his arm and leg.

"Oh, sweetheart, what were you thinking?" Letting go of Darry, Mrs. Curtis knelt in front of her middle son. "Climbing the tree... you know that tree is dangerous!"

Now Soda was positively beaming, his scraped chin boldly jutting forward. "Well Steve dared me to! You don't say no to a dare, mom. Right Darry?" Darry hesitated, not wanting to upset their mother. Eventually he shrugged, pacifying them both.

"Your father should be here soon with Pony," she said, smoothing Soda's unruly hair. "I think he might be bringing some of your friends as well." She sniffed. She loved Steve and Two-Bit as if they were her own children, she always said. She told her sons she would do anything for Johnny. It was only when they put one of her biological sons in danger that she started worrying.

"Mom?" Darry asked, watching her glide pensively towards the door. His icy blue eyes were cracked with worry. Soda said he wasn't in pain, but of course he'd say something like that. Darry didn't quite believe the mild expression on his face.

Mrs. Curtis's head snapped up, eyes shiny. "I think I need to talk to you boys. You're growing up now... Darry you're practically a man already, and sometimes I forget that I need to warn you about certain things." She sighed. "When you get older, little dares won't be the only thing you're faced with. There's alcohol and drugs. There's fighting." A shudder coursed through her face, rippling its perfect symmetry. "The boys you hang out with... well of course I love them, you know that. I just want you to be careful, okay?" She looked expectantly towards them, her face twisted in the pain of a mother knowing she would have to let her children go.

Soda nodded, oblivious in his elementary school world. It was different for Darry. He went to junior high; he knew how it worked. Guys had never approached him personally for fights, mostly cause he was so big, but he'd seen it happen. Sometimes even with guys who he considered okay friends. He'd had a drink or two before as well, but of course he wouldn't tell his mother that. "Sure, mom," Soda said, grinning. The expression looked so out of place against the white bandages around his arm and leg, it was nearly comical.

Darry nodded as well, uncomfortable. "Yeah," he said quietly, his voice throaty.

"Good," Mrs. Curtis replied. "Now let me see if I can talk to that doctor about when they'll release you." She gave a fleeting look of separation anxiety, and then hurried out into the hallway.

"You really okay?" Darry asked. "You don' t look it."

Soda's smile half-faded, but there was still a glimmer of humor in his eye. "I'm - " he grimaced in pain, a gasp whistling through his lips. "... okay."

"Aw Soda," Darry said, shaking his head. "Why'd you climb that tree? You knew you couldn't."

"Yeah, but Steve could," Soda replied.

"Come on, Soda!' Darry said, his temper igniting with a hiss. "You can't make everything a competition, it'll get you into trouble!"

Now Soda was no longer smiling at all, and he looked hurt. "Darry, why're you laying it on me like this? You're not my dad..."

Darry panted for a moment, trying to control his anger. Soda was the last person in the world he wanted to inflict it on. There was just something about his optimism that made Darry want to protect him, keep him happy. In his mind, the world needed at least one person like his brother. "Soda," he said. "Mom's right about what she said. When you get older, next year even, you're gonna start having to watch out for those guys." He breathed through his nose, slow and careful. "Not guys like Two-Bit and Steve, cause they're not so bad by comparison, but other guys. Ones who'll want you to drink and fight and get you in trouble. You have to watch out for them... you can't let them challenge you to stupid stuff!"

The desperate expression on Darry's face did not go unnoticed, and Soda recoiled in a mouthful of shame. "I'm sorry Darry," he whispered, slinking further under the covers. "Really. I won't do it again, I promise."

Darry met his brother's eyes and decided that he was telling the truth. He smiled a little, feeling a little reassured. "Okay." He opened his mouth to continue, to say that he wasn't really mad and Soda didn't have to look so worried, but then they were interuppted.

"How are you, son?" Darryl Senior said, going immediately to clap the shoulder on the uninjured side of Soda's body. "They give you enough bandages?" He put on a good show, but Darry could read the blind panic beneath his joking smile. Pony put on no such act, and ran forward with a red face.

"Soda! Soda!" He burst into tremendous tears, tugging at Soda's hand until it curled around his own. "Your arm is funny looking."

Soda laughed again, bright and bubbling. "Yeah kiddo, it's broken. Don't do what I did, okay?" Darry felt a surge of pride for both of them as Pony nodded solemnly, a picture of obedience.

"You think you're up for more visitors?" Mr. Curtis asked. "We have a bit of a party waiting in the hall."

"Sure!" Soda exclaimed, peering excitedly past the sliver of light in the doorway.

"Alright, come on in kids!" Steve, Two-Bit and Johnny rushed into the room, with only Two-Bit looking unconcerned.

"I'm sorry Soda," Steve muttered, gravitating immediately to the bed. Darry decided he had never seen the boy's tough face look ashamed like it did now. Johnny's small frame shuffled to Pony's side, his wide eyes welled with even deeper fear than usual. Two-Bit made a good-natured joke about the tree, but Darry didn't miss the hint of worry in his face as well. Darry felt his heart beat slow, warmed by the people around him. Sure enough, Soda was the center of their world. Everyone cared about him. Watching his friends and his brothers, laughing and joking together, Darry decided he wouldn't worry yet. After all, they were only kids. What was there to worry about?

A/N: That's all for now! :D Reviews would be much appreciated.