Wow, it's been a little over a month since I updated last. O.O Sorry, I had a little bit of the writers block. Thanks to all my reviewers, I love you guys!!! I hope you enjoy this chapter!!!^^

Pony came through the front door, panting and looking around anxiously, when all he saw was his second oldest brother sitting on the couch, he relaxed.

"Hey, Soda," He greeted. "Where's Darry?"

Soda sat up straight, looking sternly at his little brother.

"Sleeping. You're late."

Pony sighed.

"I know."

Soda's look changed into one of curiosity.

"Pony, tell me, how is it that ya go to the Nightly Double in the afternoon and I go to a birthday party in the evening, but I come home before ya and ya come in late?"

Pony shrugged, his cheeks tinting a light pink.

"I don't know. Me and Johnny decided to hangout at the lot after the movie, and … I don't know. I guess we just lost track of time."

Soda studied him closely.

Why was he so flustered?

Something caught his eye.

"Pony, what's that?"

Panic flashed through Pony's eyes.

"What's what?"

"On your neck," Soda answered, standing up and walking over to his flustered baby brother.

Pony tried to back away from his prying brother, but Soda grabbed his arm to keep him in place as he moved his collar to see a big, dark red hickey.

Soda blinked at it, not really believing it was really there.

His brother, his baby brother, his innocent baby brother was doing intimate things with someone … someone who wasn't him.

His eyes darkened at the thought of someone touching his Pony, someone taking his innocence.

Pony stepped away from Soda.

"M-me and Johnny ran into a couple of girls at the Nightly Double, and they were real friendly."

Normally, Pony was a good liar, but when it was Soda he was lying to, he could always tell if it was a lie or not, and he was definitely lying now.

Soda already knew who gave it to him, he might be a dropout, but he's not that dumb.

He was a little hurt that Pony would lie to him. Pony should know he could tell him anything, Soda would never judge him for anything, he always understood. Anyways, he would be a hypocrite if he judged Pony for doing things with another boy, because he himself was in love with another boy, who was also his brother.

But, he didn't say anything; instead he just plopped back down onto the couch, and mumbled,

"Go on to bed, Ponyboy. I'm gonna sleep out here."

"Why?"

"'Cause I want to."

Pony just stared down at his brother with a hint of hurt in his eyes.

"Ok … Night, Soda."

Pony went into his and Soda's room, stripped down to his boxers, and laid down on his side of the bed.

Why didn't Soda want to sleep with him tonight? He had slept in there every night since their parents died. So, what changed?

Was it something he did?

Was it something he said?

Pony's eyes widened to the size of saucers as another thought hit him,

Did he know who really gave him the hickey?

Darry came into the living room to see Soda spread out on the couch, sleeping. He froze in his spot, staring down at his sleeping middle brother with his eyes slightly wide.

What's he doing there?

Why's he sleeping on the couch?

Why isn't he sleeping with Pony like every other night?

Did he and Pony get into a fight?

Did Pony know what was wrong with their beloved brother?

His dark brown eyes didn't dance anymore, he seemed depressed, he hadn't been saying much, he spaces out a lot, and he's been snapping at people.

Soda hadn't been acting like himself and that scared Darry something awful.

Something bad must had happened to Soda to make him this out of whack. He wasn't even this bad when Sandy had left him and that's saying a lot.

What's wrong with his little brother?

Darry walked over to the couch and gently shook him by his shoulder.

"Hey, little buddy, get up."

Soda stirred, before his eyes slowly opened.

"Mmm, morning, Darry," He mumbled sleepily, rubbing at his eyes.

Darry waited a few seconds, before he asked carefully,

"Why are you sleeping out here? Did you and Pony get into a fight or something?"

Soda stopped rubbing at his eyes and he sat up slightly.

Why did he sleep on the couch last night?

It wasn't really because of the hickey, even if that had made him jealous and mad that Johnny had got to Pony before he did, and it made him wonder about how long Pony had been doing those kinds of things with Johnny? Which Soda's pretty sure he doesn't really want to know. But, the real reason is, because he didn't feel comfortable around Pony anymore, it would feel awkward sharing a bed with him now.

But, Soda couldn't tell Darry that, so instead he shook his head slightly and said,

"No."

Darry sighed.

"Listen, little buddy, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."

Something changed in Soda's dark orbs that shocked Darry to no end.

"Nobody can help me."

Before, Darry had a chance to respond, Steve came in the front door, slamming it behind him.

He looked from Soda to Darry, and back again, his dark eyes questioning.

His eyes stopped on his best friend.

"You're comin' to work today, right? You're not gonna make me deal with all those good for nothin' customers by myself again, are ya?" He was half joking, half serious.

Yesterday had pissed him off big time, he still wasn't over it.

Soda let a small smile cross his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes.

Steve's lips formed a deep frown and his stomach dropped a little at that.

Where was that prize winning smile that lit up his face and made everyone no matter what their mood was smile too, that made Soda, Soda? He hadn't smiled like that for days; all his smiles were either fake or forced now a days.

When is the Soda everybody knows and loves going to come back?

The bell on the door rang, indicating that a customer had just come in. Soda looked up from the car magazine he had been reading from his spot behind the counter.

It's been a slow day today. They've only had about six customers today so far and it was already around lunchtime.

That had pissed Steve off, he kept mumbling something like, "Why couldn't of it been like this yesterday instead of today? Least then I could have had some help."

Soda's glad it's not a busy day; he didn't think he could handle too many customers today, not when he was feeling all messed up.

"Hey, Soda,"

Soda mentally rolled his eyes.

It was Ponyboy and Johnny.

He shouldn't be the least bit surprised, because Pony always came by the DX during lunchtime, and Two-bit and Johnny usually came with him.

He's always enjoyed his baby brother's company, but like he said before, he felt uncomfortable and awkward around him now. It was Pony's fault he was so messed up, if he hadn't of come home drunk and started hitting on him, Soda wouldn't be feeling like this, he wouldn't be questioning his love for his brother.

And, Johnny wasn't his favorite person right now.

He forced out a smile as he greeted them back,

"Hey, guys."

He looked around, trying to find their goofy friend, but couldn't see him anywhere.

"Where's Two-bit,"

Pony blushed at the question and Soda couldn't help but find it endearing, even though he was confused to why a simple question could make him blush.

"Um, well … Two-bit found his blonde of the day and decided to ditch us so he could … romance her."

Johnny giggled at how his best friend had word it, his own cheeks tinting a slight pink.

Soda found himself glaring at Johnny. Johnny must have noticed, because he stopped giggling and started shifting uncomfortably, a look of fear and shock in his dark, puppy dog eyes.

Pony was oblivious to it all.

"I'm going to get a Pepsi." He announced as he walked the whole way over to the opposite side of the station to where the drinks were.

"I know about you and Pony." Soda stated.

Johnny visibly stiffened, staring at Soda with his black eyes wide in horror.

Soda's eyes narrowed cautiously.

"And it ends now. Stay away from him. Stay away from my baby brother." He warned in a low, threatening voice, which seemed to scare and shock the younger boy more.