This is a Dally/ Ponyboy angst oneshot for Guest, with some fluff thrown in towards the end, AU where Dally doesn't get shot.
Johnny had just died and Dally was about to snap, he couldn't lose Johnny, he couldn't lose the only person he cared about. However as Dally ran out of the hospital a shadowy figure grabbed his arm. The figure came into focus and stared directly at Dally
"You better not do what I think you're going to do, Pony needs you, go back to the curtis house NOW Dallas" said Johnny
"Johnny?" asked Dally, trying to keep his voice from cracking
"Yeah, look Dally I know you're upset, and since i have to head to the afterlife in a few minutes I just want to say this, I know you cared about me, and only me, but now you have the chance to be there for someone else who needs you even more Dally, you are the only person who will understand in full how Pony is feeling, you need to be there for him before he loses all hope, I wrote him a letter but he probably won't read until later, spend time with him, Pony and i are more alike than you think, if you cared about me, then please try and care about him, please Dally" pleaded Johnny. Dally sobered and sighed
"Alright, only for you Johnny" said Dally, before he pulled the boy into a hug.
'I'm going to miss you" said Johnny
"Me too little buddy, me too" said Dally tears starting to roll down his face. When Pony came out Dally got the boy into the car, even Dally could tell that Pony wasn't looking to good, he had to get the kid home right minute he got Ponyboy home he sat on the couch, he had never had to process this many emotions all at once before.
"Dal? Do you want anything to drink?" asked Darry softly. Dally shook his head, his head was in his hands as he tried to control his breathing to keep from sobbing.
"Dally are you ok?" asked Two-Bit
"I-I don't know" whispered Dally. Suddenly Sodapop came out of pony's room looking worried
"Darry, Pony's running a really high fever and the gash on the back of his head looks really bad, he also keeps asking for Dally" said Soda, Dally's head shot up,Pony needed him, johnny was right. Dally ran into Pony's room, he was not going to lose someone else, he couldn't bare it. He took hold of Pony's hand
"D-Dally?" asked Pony
"I'm here kiddo" said Dally
"We need to get him to the hospital" said Soda
"We will in the morning, he seems comfortable" said Darry
"Could I stay with him tonight? I-I've already lost Johnny, I just want to be here in case something happens, because I don't think I could handle losing Pony as well" said Dally. The gang had never heard so much emotion in Dally's voice, never seen him so worried. For once the rest of the gang saw the humanity in Dally, the humanity that Johnny could always see. Darry nodded, somehow for once he was able to trust Dally completely. Darry and the others went into the living room, trying to wrap their heads around Dally's sudden display of emotion. Pony had stopped whimpering the minute Dallas put his arms around the boy causing the older greaser to smile. He saw the book on Pony's bedside table and thought that maybe if he read to Pony it would help the kid. He opened up Gone With The Wind but his attention was immediately drawn to a yellow piece of paper tucked into the back of the book. Instantly he knew this was the note Johnny had left Ponyboy. He read through the letter and felt his heart constrict, Johnny felt there was still good in the world even after everything the world had taken from him, Dally would watch the sunset at some point, maybe once Pony was better. Dally looked at the sleeping boy in his arms, his mind suddenly drifted to how happy Soda had once been when Sandy was faithful to him and all the happy moments he had had when Sylvia wasn't being a two timing slut. Pony had never experienced that kind of happiness with anyone maybe if Dally could give him that kind of happiness they could both see what Johnny meant by there still being good in the world. Dally never cared about what people thought of him and anyone who hurt Pony would face Dally's wrath.
"Hey Darry, can i ask you something real quick?" called Dally, true he didn't care if people knew he was gay but he didn't want his head smashed in if he tried to date Superman's little brother without permission either.
"Is something wrong Dal?" asked Darry concerned
"No, I just need to ask your permission on something before i go through with it" said Dally, Darry frowned, since when did Dallas winston ask for permission on anything he did?
"What is it?" said Darry
"Look, we both know Pony is never going to have the courage to ask anyone out on a date, and after tonight, well that kind of thing will only get harder, but I know that having a partner can make a person happy even at their lowest point, and I don't want Pony to date someone who would hurt him in the end, all i want if for Pony to be happy, I guess what I'm trying to ask is your permission for me to date Ponyboy, if he will have me, I just don't want him to be hurt by anyone, i want him to be happy the rest of his life after ever damn thing this world has thrown at him" asked Dally. Darry was taken aback, who the hell was this and what had he done with Dallas Winston? But considering everything Dally had said he realized that he wanted the same thing, Pony to be happy and go through life without the heartbreak that had plagued Sodapop after Sandy left. And the fact that Dally was asking permission first spoke volumes about how he thought that this was the best for Pony and wouldn't dare hurt the kid.
"I guess I'll allow it but I have a couple conditions you need to abide by" said Darry
"Anything Dare, I just want Pony to be happy for once" said Dally seriously
"Ok first, it is up to him on whether he wants to go through with this, second, no more breaking the law Dal, the state is already riding my ass and I can't have my brother dating a hoodlum so you need to drop the crime and your police record, third, I don't want you two going all the way until he's 18 and ready for that, take things as slow as he wants, fourth, If I EVER find out that you hurt him in any way, I will find you and I will KILL you" said Darry seriously
"Alright, but old habits die hard and i might need some time before i can completely change my ways Dar" said Dally
"As long as you try, I don't care about small misdemeanors but you need to lose that heater and quit looking for trouble" said Darry, he knew he was asking a lot of Dally but the hood had brought this on himself. Pony woke up in the middle of this and was at least lucid enough to understand what was going on.
"Dally? You really like me like that?" he asked, his voice quiet
"I do kiddo, it took some time for me to realize, and a whole lot a stuff to hit the fan but i figured it out, but it is entirely up to you" said Dally smiling, his mask of indifference had fallen away revealing a kind hearted 17 year old who only wanted the best for the boy in his arms. Pony smiled softly and snuggled closer to Dally.
"I'll take that as a yes" smiled Darry. Dally smiled, even through tonight's roller coaster of emotions he still had Ponyboy and he would protect his new boyfriend with his last breath.
Reviews and Requests are welcome just abide by the rules. Next One shot will be Pony/Johnny and after that will be a chapter 2 part two