Hey! Sorry for the wait!! I know it's been forever and I hope no one has lost intrest, I swear, this story is getting somewhere! lol Well, there's not too much else to say, but...

ENJOY!

A Time For Laughter

CHAPTER 4:

The days pasted by fast as the snow kept falling and falling. And to Ponyboy's surprise he found that wanting to see Dally just made the days go by faster. That and with all the holiday things to do, Ponyboy didn't have time for anything else, except the few days of school when the snow melted a bit.

Now though Christmas break had started up and Ponyboy felt the loneliness creep into his mind. Soda had spent the night at Steve's place for the last couple of nights to get the dark-haired greaser to clam down and stop being so anxious. He even went to "work" with Steve to keep him from punching the costumers when he got mad.

On top of that Darry had been working late so he could get vacation time for Christmas, so Pony hadn't seen him at all in the past three days. In those past nights though, Ponyboy got nightmares, ones that shook the dead and brought him to a waking cry, his body shaking and head pounding. Last night had been the worst; he had ran to the bathroom, barely making it before he heaved up everything he had eaten that day. Darry didn't know about the dreams, he wasn't ever home early enough. And well, Soda just hadn't been home.

Two-bit had stopped by yesterday, saying he'd see the gang on Christmas and that he was going to spend most of the holiday with his sister and mother. Ponyboy sighed and shifted his weight on the couch, wishing someone to be there, even if it was Steve. It was late morning and Ponyboy felt anxious and cold. It had started snowing once again, bringing another new blanket of snow. With that brought little kids running around and screaming. Screaming that gave Pony a headache and made his heart ache for his brothers and his dead parents.

Sighing one more time, Pony stood up and grabbed his jacket, today was the 23rd. Today was the day that Dally was suppose to get out of jail, if he had been on good behavior. He certainly hoped that Dally was trying his best to get out, Pony wanted to spend Christmas with Dally. He had even gone and gotten him something. Mind you Pony had to work his ass off doing things for people around the neighborhood to get money. But it was worth it, at least to him.

Not really sure were he was going, Pony just trenched slowly around, his hands stuffed in his jacket pockets, trying to keep warm. He thought about is mother's happy voice and father's laugh as Christmas morning would come around. He thought about Johnny eating happily with Steve and Soda, all three of them young and barely in high school. He thought about Darry wrestling with Dad and Two-bit dropping by in the evening with his sister and mother.

But what really kept him occupied was the memory of seeing Dally talking to his mother, sitting close by the Christmas tree and drinking coco. Pony wondered if Dally drank coco anymore. But memories of Dally's icy eyes full of laughter and happiness in youth turned to Dally pressed up against him, kissing him roughly. Of Dally pulling him so tight against him that Pony thought he would melt into him.

As Pony reached the small park near the lot, he felt an odd prickling sensation on the back of his neck. He frowned and glanced behind him, but no one was there. As he went on his way he tried to forget about it, but as it became stronger, he stopped and turned around. The snow made everything eerily white and the crisp air covered the area with a blanket of silence.

Carefully looking for anything out of the ordinary, Pony shivered. He didn't see anything odd. No Soc cars or groups hanging around. No tough greaser gangs looking for trouble either. As he turned to start walking again, Pony began to doubt his sanity. However, as he turned, he collided with a solid chest that wasn't there before.

Stumbling back a little, Pont opened his mouth to apologize but froze as he saw the neatly dressed teen in front of him. Behind the older teen stood three others, smirking dangerously.

"Hey grease, out a little far are we?" the closest one asked, stepping closer.

Pony frowned and took a step back, not noticing the male behind him. As he was forced to stumble back, he was suddenly pined from behind; someone much taller and stronger held his arms so he couldn't break free. And all Pony thought before the pain began was a loud curse at himself for not paying attention.

After that all thoughts stopped as pain exploded around him. He wasn't quite sure how many times he was beaten and where, just the pain of each bone breaking blow of knuckles and the annoying laugh of the Soc's. The only injury he was aware off was the large cut right above his brow for blood was smoothly flowing down his face. It dropped nicely onto the snow, turning it a light pink.

It was awhile before Pony felt himself pushed to the snow covered ground and he let himself breath, thinking it was over. He couldn't have been more wrong. As he moved to get up and move away, a hard kick came into blistering contact with his side, sending him rolling a few inches over, away from the attacker. Only, he rolled onto another pair of feet that just moved to kick him as well.

However, the blow he was expecting never came. Instead a long string of loud curses from each of the Soc's reached Pony's ears and the panic crunch of snow as they ran away. Frowning, Pony pushed himself weakly up with his shaky arms, only to fall back down half way, his entire body now drenched in melted snow.

The gentle touch to his head sent him to flinch away before a familiar voice filled his ears.

"Easy Kiddo."

Dally's voice was quiet, but Ponyboy could sense the anger building up. He just hoped that Dally wasn't angry with him for going out on his own without anyone knowing where he was. As the gentle touch left his head, Pony felt Dally's hands slid around his sides and help him up to a sitting position. His gaze was dizzy when he glanced up at Dally, who was kneeling down in the snow in front of him. He could see the worry and anger in those icy eyes though and Ponyboy bit his lip, only to make a small moan as he bit into the cut flesh.

Dally frowned when Pony let out a pain filled sound and he reached up to smooth back Pony's messed wet hair, getting a better look at the cut above the younger greaser's brows.

"Golly, kiddo, what the hell did ya do? Bash in their windows?" Dally asked, his voice hard and angry. Pony flinched at the sound and shook his head, only wishing that he hadn't seconds later as a blinding pain came and his vision became so dizzy to the point of seeing white spots.

To steady himself, Pony leaned forward and rested his forehead on Dally's collarbone. The older greaser was tense and Ponyboy felt bad, thinking he was the cause of it. But Dally's warms came around him and pulled him close. He was glad that Dally got out today.

The two of them stayed like that for a while, Dally stoking Pony's hair everyone in a while. But as snowflakes quickly began to fall, Dally stood, pulling Ponyboy up with him as well. The young greaser swayed slightly and leaned into Dally, keeping his balance.

"Think you can make it back?" Dally asked, pushing Pony's temple with his forehead.

The young teen smiled slightly and nodded up at Dally. They made the short walk back to the Curtis house with some difficultly, Pony stopping every once in awhile for the dizziness in his head got worse. When they finally did get to the house, Dally had to practically drag Pony up the stairs.

The older blond placed Ponyboy down onto the couch and went looking to see if anyone was home.

"Hey, anyone here?" Dally shouted up the stairs as he grabbed a first aid kit form the bathroom. When he got no answer he frowned. Ponyboy looked in pretty bad shape, he wasn't sure if he should take him to the hospital or not. Not wanting to keep Pony by himself for too long, Dally went back to the living room, grabbing a towel from the kitchen as he went.

Pony was wiping blood off his lip that he had bit into more then once while waiting for Dally to come back. He heard Dally yell for someone, but Pony just shook his head, no one was home. He glanced over to the doorway as Dally came back in quickly.

"No one's here Dal." He muttered, wiping more blood from his lip.

Dally knelt down in front of him and pushed Pony's hands away form his face.

"I noticed, stop doing that," Dally said harshly, referring to Pony bothering his cuts. He was getting real tired off all the attacks the Socs were doing. They hadn't done anything in awhile, why start, especially around Christmas as well?

"Where is everyone?" Dally asked, his voice calmer this time as he began to wipe blood from Pony's brow, earning loud hisses from the redhead as he did so.

Ponyboy just shrugged and winced as Dally touched the large cut again, "Darry's working and Soda's at Steve's."

Dally sighed as he got most of the blood off Pony's face, there was still dried blood around the cut though. He would have to clean the rest up later. He wanted to make sure that Pony wasn't seriously injured anywhere else. Dally quickly wiped Pony's lip before pull lightly at the teen's shirt, indicating that he wanted Pony to undress.

"Come on, gotta make sure your not bleeding out an artery somewhere." Dally muttered when Ponyboy didn't move. It took a bit before Pony got his shirt off, and Dally's anger shout up again at the dark bruises already forming on the young greaser's body. There were a few scratches as well, but nothing serious. He frowned and gently brushed on of Pony's larger marking.

"Anything feel broken?"

Ponyboy shook his head carefully.

"Ya think your gunna need to go to the hospital?"

"No," Pony whispered, "just sore, I'll be ok."

Dally leaned up and pressed a light kiss to Pony's cut lips.

"Ya sure?"

"Yeah,"

"Alright, but I don't want your brothers hollerin' at me for not watching out for ya."

Pony nodded and stood with a wince,

"I'm gunna go wash up."

"Good ya do that before Soda or Darry drops by."

And Dally watched Ponyboy limp slightly to the bathroom and waited for the water to turn on before he stood. He placed the first aid kit on the counter in the kitchen before picking up the phone. He wasn't going to call Darry; he didn't want to deal with him right now.

"Christ, this happens right when I get back out. Fucking wonderful." Dally muttered as he dialed Steve's number.

In truth he wasn't upset at Pony at all. He was just sick of the Soc's making him the target. He didn't know what was with them, but they always picked out the youngest greasers in a group to hassle. And Dally had been having enough lately. He hoped that Pony didn't lie to him when he said he'd be ok. He didn't want to find that Pony need to go to the hospital, he would feel like shit. He also didn't want to end up on Darry and Soda's bad side.

"Hello?" Darry tried to keep the anger out of his voice as Steve's dad picked up.

"Is Soda there?" he asked the best he could, biting his lip to keep the anger from seeping out.

His answer was a mumble and silence while Steve's dad went to go fetch Sodapop. It didn't take long for Soda's cheery voice to chatter into the phone.

"Sup?" Soda asked and Dally could imagine Steve standing near him, annoyed that someone had called and interrupted their buddy time.

"Soda," I started, but he didn't let me finish.

"Dally! Hey, glad to know you got out on time. Ya gunna hang around for Christmas?"

"Sure," I tried again, but he cut me off again.

"Good, listen, I'm gunna spend the night here again, could you tell Pony for me."

"Pony got jumped." I said, not wanting to dance around the subject and have Soda interrupt me any more.

"Shit." Soda said, "ok, I'll be there in a few, tell Pony that Steve's spending the night with us."

And the phone went dead on the other side. Dally sighed, Pony wouldn't be happy about Steve staying over and to tell the truth, neither was Dally. He had told Pony to cut Steve some slack, but that didn't mean that Dally had to himself.

Dally glanced around the kitchen and made a slight face. He carefully opened the refrigerator and glanced in, looking for something to make for Ponyboy. Dally wasn't a great cook, but the least he could do was warm something up for Pony. Frowning at the emptiness of the frig, Dally shut it with a slight edge and went to look in the freezer. Maybe giving Ponyboy something cold to eat wasn't a good idea.

"Golly, don't ya'll ever go shopping?" Dally muttered to himself as he glanced around the kitchen, looking for something simple. His eyes fell on the cabinet across from him and he crossed the small kitchen in two quick steps and yanked open the wooded panel.

"Well, he's gunna have to like soup." Dally muttered as he reached up and pulled a can from the shelf. He looked around for a small pot which didn't take him long to find and in a few minutes he had the soup bubbling slightly over a small flame on the stove.

Dally became anxious as he waited for Ponyboy to finish up and for the soup to finish. His built up anger hadn't left him and he wished it would. If he didn't get rid off it soon he would take it out on the closeted person to him, and that at the moment would be Ponyboy. He was so angry; this whole Socs and greaser thing was starting to irritate him. Before he didn't really mind, infact he welcomed a good fistfight to get rid of stress. But lately there hadn't been any "fights" just jumping's and it was pushing Dally far to close to the end of his rope.

He wasn't the only on though, by the sound of Soda's voice over the phone, the younger blond had obviously been annoyed with it too. Especially since Ponyboy was the one being picked on. Thinking of Soda, Dally glanced out the kitchen window, wondering when the second oldest Curtis brother would come rushing in, Steve lagging behind him, muttering the whole way.

However, as a small gasp of pain floated into the kitchen, Dally's thoughts were interrupted. Ponyboy stood in the doorway, black sweatpants riding low on his hips, his now dark reddish hair dripping water down the teens bare shoulders and chest. Ponyboy seemed to have moved the wrong way for he was kneading his side with his knuckles, glancing at the large bruise that was darkening there.

"Hey," Ponyboy finally muttered, his cheeks tinted pink from the hot water he had just been under minutes ago. He noticed the bubbling soup on the stove and smiled.

He trudged tiredly over to the stove and turned the flame off, the soup smoking nicely. He glanced at Dally and smiled gently,

"Thanks, Dally."

Dally just stood next to him, a bit away from the stove and watched as Ponyboy went to grab a bowl form one of the higher cabinets. However, the younger greaser let out a painful whimper and winced when he reached up for a bowl, Dally pushed himself off the counter and was behind Pony in a second, grabbing the dish for the younger teen.

Ponyboy turned around so he was facing Dally and smiled up at the taller blond, taking the bowl from him as well. Dally though didn't let him pass so easily, instead he took the bowl back and placed it on the counter behind him, wrapping his arm around Pony's bare waist and pulling him flesh against his own body. He ran his thumb over Pony's cut lips and was carefully as he let his hand sink into Pony's wet hair. Dally leaned his forehead down and bumped Pony's with his own, his lips resting lightly against Ponyboy's.

Dally inhaled deeply, tightening his hold on Ponyboy, he had missed the redhead so much. Every night in jail he told himself he would behave just so he could touch Ponyboy sooner.

Letting his eyes shut, Dally whispered quietly against Pony's lips before kissing the younger greaser gently,

"Golly I missed ya something awful, Pone."

Ponyboy smiled against Dally's lips and clutched to the taller greaser's arms, letting Dally devour his mouth. He sighed and leaned into Dally as the older greaser deepened the kiss, pushing against Pony's timid tongue. Not getting to taste Dally for weeks and driven the teen mad, he loved the way Dally tasted, spicy and yet, an old sense of coolness in his breath, like he had just been chewing on ice cubes. Not to mention how protected he felt wrapped up in Dally's arms.

A few years ago, Ponyboy would have laughed at anyone who told him that being around Dally would make him feel safe. But in truth, he didn't feel safe without Dally around anymore.

"Dal…" Ponyboy moaned breathlessly as Dally leaned down, licking and nibbling on Pony's bare neck, stopping at the point where his two collar bones meet and licked the stretched tight skin roughly, pushing Pony back against the counter. It felt good, being with Dally. It felt good, pressed against him, his fingers clutching tightly to the thick blond hair, Dally's mouth hot on his skin.

And suddenly the need and desire was much stronger then Pony and ever felt and he pushed roughly against Dally, wanting…needing more.

Dally sensed the sudden change in the atmosphere and pulled back, looking down into Ponyboy's bright hazel eyes, searching for an answer.

"Pone…" he started, but never got to finish as the loud bang of the screen door filled their ears.

Dally jumped back away from Ponyboy faster then he'd ever moved in his life. And the younger redhead blushed brightly and quickly exited the kitchen and Dally heard him rush upstairs to finish dressing before Soda saw him.

And it was only seconds before Soda rushed into the kitchen, worry on his face.

"Dally, where is he?"

Dally was careful not to turn around and only glanced back at Soda as he grabbed the bowl in front of him and went over to the stove, dishing out Ponyboy's soup.

"Upstairs."

The golden blond only nodded and rushed upstairs, worried, and that left Dally and Steve in the kitchen alone.

Steve glared at nothing really and crossed his arms, leaning in the doorway,

"What the hell did the brat do now?"

And his question was met with a hard, icy glare.

"Pony?" Soda asked, carefully glancing into the small bedroom.

"Here Soda."

At his younger brother's voice, Soda stepped all the way into the room, rushing to the injured redhead. Soda tried not to let out a gasp at the dark bruises on Pony or an angered growl either.

"You ok?" he asked, peering down at Ponyboy with concern.

Ponyboy smiled up at his older brother and nodded.

"Yeah, just wasn't really watching, it's not as bad as it looks."

Soda was tempted not to believe his brother, but if Ponyboy were in a good deal of pain he wouldn't lie about it.

"Alright." And Soda reached out and grabbed Ponyboy, pulling him to him in a quick hug.

"I'm gunna head back down and start dinner, Darry will be home soon."

"Ok."

Soda sighed and glanced at his younger brother before leaving the darkened room. Soda hoped that Ponyboy was really all right. He seemed a little quiet, even for him. He passed Dally on the way down the stairs and nodded at the slightly older teen.

What he didn't expect to find was Steve sitting with his head back, blood trickling down his nose in a steady stream. Soda sighed, as much as him and Steve were good friends, he wished that the dark haired greaser would just keep his mouth shut.

"Shit, I think he broke my noise!" Steve cursed as he spotted Soda in the doorway.

"Well," Soda said slowly, looking to see what he could make for dinner, "you kind of deserve it."

"Thanks, buddy." Was the sarcastic reply and Soda frowned.

"Oh come on Steve, stop being an ass. Your not the only one that has a hard time around Christmas."

It was silent after that, Steve thinking of what he could say that wouldn't anger Soda further. It wasn't until Soda cursed loudly from hot water pouring on his arm did Steve talk again.

"Ya ok?"

"Shit…I'm fine." Soda mumbled, giving Steve the cold shoulder.

"Look, I don't mean ta be an ass, ya know that Soda.

"I know, that's just how ya handle things."

Steve sighed; sometimes he really didn't deserve to have Soda as his best friend.

"Golly, I hate when you do this." He muttered, pushing at his noise and winced slightly.

"Do what?" Soda asked, glancing back at the wince.

"Be nice," Steve muttered, sending an apologetic stare Soda's way, "it makes it hard."

Soda smiled. That was as much as an apology he was ever going to get out of Steve. So for now, Soda would let him off the hook for a bit, but he was still unhappy about how Steve looked down on Ponyboy so much. But now that the Socs jumped him, Steve would try to keep his tongue, Steve wasn't one to kick a guy down when he was already hurt.

"So, you spending Christmas here or what?"

Soda asked, flinging water at Steve.

"Pone?" Dally whispered into the dark room.

The younger boy was laying down, curled up on his bed and Dally wasn't sure if he was asleep or not. A soft painful whimper and a muffled "yeah" told Dally that the teen was infact awake.

He walked quietly over to the young greaser, his feet dragging on the soft carpet, letting Ponyboy know that he was coming closer. He didn't want to be around anyone but Ponyboy right now. Steve was pissing him off and Soda would be arguing with the dark-haired greaser, which in return would annoy the hell out of Dally.

It wasn't until Dally sat down did Ponyboy turn toward him.

"You ok, kiddo?" Dally asked, running his fingers through the younger greasers hair.

Ponyboy nodded and sat up half way, leaning close to the blond greaser.

"Dal…you're not mad…right?"

Dally frowned at Ponyboy's soft voice. He couldn't remember the last time he heard such sadness. Swiftly, Dally cupped Pony's cheek, staring into the boy's green eyes.

"Nah, I'm not mad Pone."

"Good…" Ponyboy managed a whisper back as Dally leaned forward, his lips a ghostly touch from his.

And as Dally pushed against the younger male, gently laying him down, Ponyboy knew things would be all right. Sure he would have to deal with Darry and Soda in the morning. And with Steve hanging around, but as long as Dally held him close, he would be all right.

It wasn't until after Dally thoroughly explored Pone's mouth and groped the boy in just about every place did he pull back, looking down at Ponyboy's blushing face. But what Ponyboy's hard breathing told him, wasn't what his eyes were. The red-haired's eyes were slowly closing off the real world.

It would seem that Dally wouldn't be getting quite what he was wanting for Christmas at that moment. However, when Pone reached up and hugged him tight, whispering in his ear,

"Stay…"

Dally couldn't help but lie down next to him and cuddle the boy close. He didn't really care anymore if Soda or Darry walked in on them cuddling, he was beginning to stop caring about his reputation. Infact the only thing that Dally was caring about was Ponyboy.

"Love ya."

And with Dally's unusually soft voice whispering in his ear, and his strong arms wrapped around him, Ponyboy drifted into a dreamless sleep.

OOH!! It has been forever! Sorry about that, I had a major, major writer's block. However, I found my inspiration in your reviews! Thanks so much and please tell what you think!! I have no idea what to do for the next chapter, but I promise I will try and get it up a lot sooner! After all, summer is coming and that means, SCHOOL BREAK! lol, Untill later, thanks for reading and please review!