Senioritis
Warning: Again, not combed over for errors. Notice any? Send me a message and I will get around to fixing them. Two-Bit/Pony lite is ahead.
Chapter 2: In the Name of a Good Time
The day Ponyboy skipped seventh period was never known to Darry, nor about the second day where he skipped, nor the third or forth or fifth each day having increasingly less time being spent at the school and more spent with Two-Bit having more fun than Ponyboy could ever remember having since the deaths of their friends. Come the new week Pony could think of nothing else but spending time with Two-Bit.
"You up yet kiddo?" Pony blinked and turned over in his bed to see who was talking to him. Darry was at his doorway, hair still wet from his morning shower and only partly dressed.
"Oh morning Dar. Yeah I'm starting to get there." Pony assured, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Since Sodapop left for the Army more than a year ago their mornings weren't as loud as either brother was used to. Often when they would be alone-just the two of them-they would stop what they were doing and just look at each other, both thinking the same thing. How they missed Soda.
"Don't stay in bed too long okay kid? Two-Bit's here to drive you to school. You should thank him y'know."
"I will Dar, thanks." With that Darry left him alone and Pony slipped out of the bed. For a moment he didn't realize, but then it started to register in his sleep fogged mind. Two-Bit was waiting for him already? He cursed softly under his breath and ran towards the bathroom; he needed to get ready and fast. It wasn't that Pony didn't trust Two-Bit, he was no rat after all, but Two-Bit could be a wild and unpredictable. Last thing he needed was to give Darry even a hint that Pony was cutting class (final weeks or no) for his big brute of a brother figured it out and grounded Pony. For ever.
A quick (and cold) shower and a lightening fast dress later Pony ran down the stairs, skipping the odd step once in awhile, just to make sure he got there fast enough before something went awry. Once there it seemed as though Darry already gone off to school and it was just Two-Bit sitting there on the couch, laughing at a Mickey Mouse cartoon that was playing.
With a sigh of relief Pony relaxed, sitting to join Two-Bit on the couch. "Y'know Two-Bit, your obsession with Mickey Mouse has me a bit worried."
Two-Bit gave the younger a nudge in the side with his elbow. "Why you say that kiddo? You don't like my Mickey shirt?"
"Yeah, if I was nine." Pony smirked, grabbing Two-Bit's favorite grey muscle shirt and pulling on it slightly. "You wear this so much I'm surprised it isn't falling apart on you."
"Keep pulling on the fabric like that and it just might! Then you'd have to see my amazing pecs all day." Two-Bit flexed his muscles and gave Pony his most impressive smile. "But you'd like that since you ain't got nothing going for you there."
Pony huffed and gave Two-Bit a playful shove. "I got muscle enough. I could take you in a fight, old man."
Two-Bit gave a look of offense. "Old man? Well this old man could whip your ass any day of the week."
"Well let's see!" Before Two-Bit could open his mouth to protest (or accept) Ponyboy threw the entirety of his weight into Two-Bit and forced them to the ground with a thud.
The surprise didn't faze Two-Bit in the slightest as they tussled on the floor. They were evenly matched until Two-Bit's experience won over Pony's determination and Pony found himself face down in the dingy carpet, Two-Bit sitting quite victoriously on his back. "Maybe I should make you eat dirt like when you were a kid?"
Ponyboy was laughing, still trying to wiggle out of Two-Bit's grip but it was definitely impossible. "No don't make me eat dirt! I had enough of that when I was still striving for double digits in age."
Two-Bit chuckled and ruffled the boy's blond locks. "All right no dirt-eating kiddo." He got up off of Pony and turned the television off before giving a big stretch, his back cracking in the process. "So ready to go have some fun kid?"
Pony hopped up on his feet. "You betcha! What racy place are you takin' me today?"
His comment was originally meant to be taken as a joke-their days together up to that point had just been harmless fun: hanging around gas stations and swiping cigarettes until the cashier got wise, sneaking into movies, talking dirty to random broads on the street, relaxing in the car and just talking… Pony should have known that, eventually, Two-Bit was going to want a bit more fun.
Probably why Two-Bit Mathews chose to drag Pony along to Buck's place. One thing that never changed over the past three years was Pony still didn't like Buck, or his constant partying. His house smelled like smoke, drink, and sex. Pony was still a virgin in practically every meaning of the word, but he still knew how sex smelled (it was difficult not to growing up around Two-Bit. Every blond was a fair game to him). "So why are we at Buck's place?" he started in a dull voice as if he already knew the answer but wanted to ask in the hope his assumption was wrong.
"You're a senior, I'm gonna get you so drunk and stoned off your rocker every lady in this place will look like your dream girl. Physically anyways." Two-Bit smirked, completely disregarding the sarcasm dripping from Ponyboy's words.
"I don't drink Two-Bit, you know that. It smells bad and tastes awful." Pony practically whined as Two-Bit pulled him through the drunken partiers, dancing dirty to a Presley song and loudly yelling about partying til they dropped-some already had dropped and seemed fast asleep despite the wily music. It was nearly nine a.m. and people were still partying.
"You'll like it, I promise." Two-Bit's voice sounded a little ominous to Pony's ears but he didn't bother to try and argue. Two-Bit had never given him any reason to doubt or mistrust him. "Wait here and try not to get lost."
Ponyboy nodded and once Two-Bit disappeared to do God-knows-what he took the time to snake out a smoke and light up to calm his nerves. Taking a long drag of his cigarette he noticed several broads probably just a year or two older than who wore far too much lip and eye make-up him circling around him. Like vultures, he thought grimly, trying to inch away from their demonic eyes. One attempted to swoop in on him but he was saved by Two-Bit showing up at just the right time, clutching two mysterious red cups on his hands.
He intercepted Pony and waved the girl off, but not before shoving one of the cups into Pony's hand. "He's too young for you babe, but come back around after I had a few drinks and I might be interested." he teased her with a wink. She gave a somewhat offended look before stalking off with the other two girls and continued to dance. Once she was gone he looked back to Pony and nudged him a bit. "If you ain't interested just insult them. That'll make them get away from you good enough. Now drink."
Pony wanted to protest, looking into the cup with a look of disdain but figured he might as well try it. He had to admit he was kind of curious. Taking another drag from his cigarette and exhaling the smoke he choked down his pride-as well as a small sip of whatever swill happened to be in the glass. Much to his surprise he tasted coke with a small alcoholic under taste that he could barely detect. "What's this?"
"Rum and coke kid. I know you and I knew you probably wouldn't want it very strong so I made it a bit lighter than I normally would. That and you look like you'd be a lightweight."
Pony pursed his lips, unsure of if Two-Bit was trying to egg him on or what, but regardless he fell for the bait. "I'm not a lightweight, I'm just small for a kid my age."
It was true he was a little on the smaller side compared to the rest of the gang-barely 5'10" and slender. He wasn't just skin and bone though, he did have muscles to boast. Especially in his legs from his career in track and field.
Two-Bit cocked his brow, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Let's see how much alcohol you can take before getting shit faced then."
"Let's see then."
After Pony's fourth drink he started to become far more loose; morals went out the window and the desire to be apart of the scene around him overrode his normal ethics. By his eighth drink he was far too woozy to have fun, his eyes feeling like there were crossing. He had talked and danced dirty with some girls and while his lust demanded more from him, his body found it impossible to keep upright.
He stumbled over to Two-Bit (who by this point was surrounded by a small entourage of broads, including the girl he had insulted earlier) and crash landed into the man's lap screaming "I'm a lightweight!"
Two-Bit bit back fits of laughter, patting Pony's back gently. "You okay kid? Need a toilet?"
"No." Pony groaned. "I need a bed."
"All right ladies I need to get my friend here into a bed before he passes out on the floor." The girls around Two-Bit gave cries protest, tempting him to stay with promises of sex. "Sorry girls, gotta go." was all he said to them before helping Ponyboy up on his feet and getting up himself.
The girls continued to protest but Two-Bit and Pony were already on their way out of the house. Pony could barely make out the clutter that ran through his mind as Two-Bit drove him but he faintly recalled asking Two-Bit if he was okay to drive.
Obviously so since they pulled up into the Curtis home driveway without getting into an accident. They headed into the house-slowly as Pony needed a little assistance-and Pony started to trudge up the stairs towards his bedroom, Two-Bit behind him to make sure he didn't slip and fall. Once in the sanctity of his bedroom Pony crashed onto his bed and hugged his pillow close to his chest. "The room is spinning Two-Bit."
The older man chuckled and sat next to the wasted Ponyboy, stroking the back of his neck and hair. "Just relax. Here let's see if some smoke will calm your nerves." he murmured, digging into his pocket and producing what Pony, at first glance, thought was a cigarette. Upon closer inspection he realized it was no cigarette.
"What is that?"
Two-Bit realized that Pony probably never had a toke before. A naughty smirk couldn't help but pull on his lips-oh he loved to corrupt the boy. "It's weed Pony."
Ponyboy was about to object to smoking it but Two-Bit already placed the blunt between his lips and light it up. Moving it back away from his lips and exhaling it slowly he tried to hand it off to Pony, who refused. "I ain't smoking that!"
"C'mon kid, just once and never again. You're a senior! Experience life guilt-free entertainment. Besides you first experience would be with me and I'd much prefer that than with some red-headed trollop who will steal you cash when you're flyin." Two-Bit ranted, getting a little rambunctious and nearly falling off the bed. Pony grabbed him around the waste before he well off. Winding down from his outburst Two-Bit took another drag from the blunt and again offered it to Pony.
Slowly the younger boy took it and, with a to Two-Bit, he took a drag. It wasn't very much like a cigarette and he coughed out the smoke, but he couldn't lie. It was kind of fun in the "I'm doing something bad and I know it" kind of way.
It was almost instantly that he started to feel a bit weird. He took a second drag and handed the blunt back to Two-Bit who took a third and snuffed it out. Pony laid back down on the bed, his mind swimming in a high state of bliss. Ponyboy was a weird kid, he always knew that. Things that normally didn't entertain people always entertained him, but now the entertainment value was so much higher.
And he was also hungry. Far more hungry than he had ever felt before. "Two-Bit I've never been so hungry." he breathed, looking up at Two-Bit who had the goofiest grin on his face. Pony couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm hungry too Pony… Let's go raid your fridge!"
That was the best idea ever. They headed downstairs, Two-Bit in lead, and once he was at the bottom of the steps Pony jumped onto the elder's back laughing wildly. "Onward to the kitchen!"
Two-Bit laughed along with the boy, hoisting him up farther on his back and carrying him into the kitchen. When the refrigerator door opened it was like opening the door to a secret world of deliciousness that everyone knew of but everyone believed was a fairytale.
Pony's jaw dropped open and he slid off Two-Bit's back, pushing the older man aside. "It's like staring into God's fridge…"
The two grabbed whatever they could-from the chocolate cake to mayonnaise, and even the bell peppers were not safe. Juggling all they could they raced back upstairs and shut themselves in Ponyboy's room and began their feast; they combined foods that they otherwise wouldn't have, they ate bell pepper slathered in honey and butter, they shared the chocolate cake and even fought over their favorite part.
It was amazing. Eaten all that they could they laid next to each other in the bed, their high starting to wind down slowly. "Two-Bit," Pony started softly as he wiggled closer to the older man's arms and taking in his scent, "I really miss Sodapop."
Two-Bit sighed and helped Pony move into his arms and just held him. "Yeah I miss him too. I know he helped you a lot after…" he drifted off, not wanting to say their names out of fear it would bring Pony down.
Pony didn't miss Two-Bit's glancing over of the names and he was grateful for it. "You helped me too. And Darry, and Steve… Y'all helped me in your own ways. I know I wasn't the easiest to deal with after they died but you hung out with me everyday without fail." In a sleepy haze he nuzzled against Two-Bit's chest, the warmth and comfort wrapped in the other's arms such a welcomed change.
"Course I did, you're my favorite. I had to be there for you Pony." Two-Bit murmured before placing a soft kiss on Pony's head.
With a drowsy sigh Pony gave a slight nod of his head. "I love you Two-Bit." It came out as a whisper that Two-Bit almost missed and had caught him by surprise, but he was glad he hadn't. Before he could muster a reply the young man had succumbed to sleep. In a state of silent devotion and reverie he laid there clutching the boy he had watched grow up and persevere through so much pain and anguish.
Two-Bit swallowed hard as it dawned on him-he was in love and he been for a very long time. He was very young when he had fell; ten years old if he remembered right, maybe even younger if his perverse mind had anything to do with it. It was a pure infatuation at first, something like his brothers felt. The whole brotherly thing, not wanting him to get hurt or into too much trouble... But something just changed.
And he fell hard into love that he had never been able to shake.
Now Two-Bit Mathews was no fool; Ponyboy obviously meant his love on a more platonic level. To him they were like brothers. Two-Bit's adoration was not so innocent. He continued to lay there, afraid to move and break whatever fantasy he had fallen into. It wasn't fair, it was scary, yet he didn't want to live in reality after encountering the dream he always wanted. He wasn't sure how long he had been there, he wasn't even sure what time it was, but he did know he had to touch down to Earth eventually.
With a heavy sigh he pulled away from the young man and slowly slipped his arm from beneath him. Leaving him felt like ripping his heart out of his chest. Still if he had stayed there any longer it would have made everything so much harder in the end. Ponyboy could never love him like Two-Bit selfishly desired, and even if he could (not that Pony ever could, it was wrong) Pony would be leaving after summer to start a better life; the life he deserved to have.
Immediately he started to busy himself by cleaning up the mess he and Pony made during their munchies craze. He couldn't think about it anymore, it would drive him crazy.
Consciousness started to claw at Ponyboy's mind, pulling him from the recesses of sleep. It registered with him almost immediately that he was alone in his bed and it took everything in him to ignore the painful twang of loneliness in the pit of his stomach. He blinked awake and sat up, looking around in his empty bedroom. It was clean-cleaner than he remembered it being. He didn't get the chance to really question it as his head started to hurt.
Slightly confused he slipped out of his bed and headed downstairs where he was greeted to Two-Bit and Darry chattering away. Before he made it all the way down Darry looked over at him and got up. "You okay kiddo? Two-Bit was telling me how you got sick during school."
Ponyboy cocked his brow but tried to play off his surprise. "That so? Yeah I wasn't feelin' too hot. Luckily he was still hanging around the school and he took me home. I still have this awful headache, I need some aspirin."
"I'll get it for you Pony." Two-Bit offered, before Ponyboy could reject it he was already up and heading for the bathroom.
"Cmon, sit down kid. You look pale." Darry fretted as he grabbed Pony's arm and gently led him onto the couch. "Maybe you should go back upstairs and lay down?"
"No it's cool Darry. What time is it? Must be at least five right?" Pony murmured as he carefully sat down on the couch. Boy did his head really start pounding.
"Yeah kiddo. Two-Bit says you've been out cold since two." Darry replied. Two-Bit came back in and handed Ponyboy some pills and a glass of water. With his head fuzzy he was actually grateful of Two-Bit's help. He swallowed down the pills and chugged down a good half of the glass before leaning against his brother with a groan. "Think you might be getting sick Pony?"
"Not sick. Probably just thinking too hard. School ending soon and all, worrying about college." Pony felt his voice drifting as it started to come into focus for him-he'd be leaving soon. "Things are gonna change pretty quickly for me."
Two-Bit plopped down beside him and patted his knee. "You'll be fine."
Maybe, Pony thought, but he didn't dare voice it.
"I'm gonna get started on dinner. Steve should be here soon." Darry said, mostly just to break the depressive tension wafting off of poor Pony. "Try not to think about it too much and just try to have fun while you're still here with us."
Pony just shrugged and moved off his brother, drinking down the rest of his water and handing him the glass. Darry headed into the kitchen and it was just Pony and Two-Bit on the couch. Out of habit Two-Bit leaned forward and flipped the television on-anything was better than silence. When he made himself comfortable again Pony rested against the older man and sighed. Two-Bit was unsure of how to take the gesture, so quickly wrote it off as the hangover getting the better of him.
Nearing dinnertime Pony's headache dissipated greatly and even got up to help set the table. While he was setting down the plates his brother caught his attention with a question- "I bought a couple of bell peppers with some money Sodapop sent and when I went to grab them two were missing. Know anything about that?"
Pony and Two-Bit immediately, together, said "nope." And no more was spoken of it.
The three sat down to eat, not bothering to wait on Steve. His fault if he wasn't there quick enough after all. As they started to dig in Steve burst through the door, waving a letter in his hand excitedly and talking far too quickly for any of them to understand him.
Darry got up and tried to calm Steve down, but he was obviously too excited to want to listen to him. "Slow down and start from the beginning." Darry finally yelled.
Steve shot him a dark look before relaxing, his loopy grin returning. "Soda's coming home for Pony's graduation."
