Authors notes: sorry that the other nights chapter was so short! I hope this will be longer. And now, chapter 10. I had time to post early, yay!
Disclaimer: I do not own the outsiders or any of its characters.
•••••••••••••
"Yeah kiddo, what's up?" He ruffled Ponyboy's hair.
"Hey this took me forever! Now it's going to stick up crazy!"
"'Cuz of all the grease! So what's up, now?"
"Well..."
•••••••••••••••
"Two-bit, I love you. I love you so much. But I do love Steve, too. I can't keep just going between you guys, it's not fair and wrong. I'm sorry but, I just don't know."
"Pony, I'm sorry but, choose, it's him or I."
"I-I can I go. I need a few minutes. Can you stop by later?"
"Of course. Anything for you."
•••••••••••••••
Ponyboy walked home, thinking all the way. He passed the lot and missed seeing the familiar figure laying there by the fire. When he got home, the house was empty. Everyone must still be at work. Pony walked upstairs to his room and laid down on the bed. He stared at the ceiling, hoping to somehow find answers in the plain white paint. He laid there for who knows how long. Ponyboy's mind started drifting between different memories with each person from the gang. First it was him and Sodapop laying in bed and Soda telling him he was going to marry Sandy. Then to Darry carrying him in from the hospital. After that it was him and Johnny playing cards at the church. Dally and him at the movies came next. Then Two-Bit and him walking to the DX one day. Lastly was him and Steve in the kitchen the first night he kissed Pony.
Ponyboy heard a door slam and realized he had been dozing off. The memories from his dream felt so real, like he was actually still there. Then he heard someone running up the stairs. Sodapop burst into the room moments later.
"Hey there Ponyboy. How'ya doing?"
"Good, until you interrupted my nap," Ponyboy said jokingly.
"Awe. Sorry kiddo. Anyway, want to go to the nightly double with us later?"
"Fine. Just leave me alone now" Ponyboy then playfully threw a pillow at Sodapop.
"That's not nice to do to your brother!" Then he jumped on the bed next to Ponyboy and started tickling him. Ponyboy started giggling and wriggling around.
"Uncle! Uncle! Your killing me, Sodapop! You win! Just stop!" Sodapop jumped up then.
"I got you this time. Next time I won't be so nice though," Sodapop said this with a smirk and left to go downstairs. Ponyboy just laid there and smiled to himself. How could he be so lucky to get brothers like this?
•••••••••••••
Ponyboy got lost in his thoughts again. He imagined himself laying in a field, in the country, watching the sunset. The last of the sunlight made the late summer grass golden and brown. The sweet smell of grass filled the air. The sun set a few minutes later and left the field bathed in silver moonlight. A cool night chill set in and a haze fell over the fields. That's where everything was perfect, life was simple, in the country...
•••••••••••••••
Ponyboy woke up startled. He had fallen asleep again and started dreaming. As soon as Ponyboy got his thoughts together, he knew what he had to do. Two-Bit's words came back to him, "choose, it's him or I." Ponyboy ran downstairs. Two-Bit was sitting on the couch watching tv. Pony ran up to him and threw his arms around the older greasers neck. Then he kissed Two-Bit long and hard on the lips. "I love you, Two-Bit, so much."
"I love you too, Pony."
"I can't leave you. Why did I ever doubt that? I'm so sorry. I just have to stay with you."
"It's ok Pone. Just, please, don't leave me. I couldn't live without you around."
"I won't. I promise."
"Good."
"Sorry to kill the moment and all but, what should I tell Steve? I don't want him to hurt you or I. He may stay away, but what if he doesn't?"
"We will figure out what to do with him. You're mine anyway, so he should stay away. I'll get him to stay away. You don't worry about it."
"Ok Two-Bit. I trust you. And Two-Bit?"
"Yeah kid?"
"Just know, I love you so much, Keith Matthews."
"And I love you so much, Ponyboy Michael Curtis."
•••••••••••••
Steve sat at the DX with Sodapop. It was almost closing time. A car pulled up to the pumps. "I'll get it," Sodapop said. Then he walked out to the car and started talking to the people. A few minutes later the car pulled away and left an empty shop.
"Closing time is in a few minutes," Sodapop said, glancing at the overhead clock. "Can we close early since no ones here?"
"Yeah, why not." The boys cleaned up the store and closed the garage doors. Then they started their walk home.
"Stevie, can I ask you something? I know what's going on between you and Pony with Two-Bit. Ponyboy talks in his sleep enough for me to hear the basics. Now, what would you do if Ponyboy chose to stay with Two-Bit?"
"I don't know. That's what I have been trying to figure out myself. I won't be able to stop loving him, even if he doesn't want to be with me. Then will I go on pretending I don't love him, let him pretend whatever happened with me never happened?"
"I don't know Stevie. I wish I could help you. I guess it's all up to Ponyboy now." Sodapop kind of knew who Ponyboy might choose, hearing that last night when Pony was sleeping. He couldn't tell anyone what he heard though, that wasn't his place. "Wanna go to the movies tonight?"
"Sure." Then they continued their walk in silence. Steve thought about what would happen with Pony the whole way back. Sodapop looked at the sky and tried to figure out what Ponyboy saw in it that was so amazing.
••••••••••••••
Two-Bit and Ponyboy sat on the front porch of the Curtis house. They saw Steve and Sodapop walking up the street. The boys walked in the gate, up the path, and sat down on the porch also. Sodapop nudged Two-Bit and motioned to inside the house. Two-Bit got up and went inside, with Sodapop following.
"Two-Bit, I know that Pony wants to stay with you. We just have to give him a few minutes to tell Steve."
"Fine. But if he makes one move on Pony it's your fault," Two-Bit said jokingly.
••••••••••••
Steve and Ponyboy sat silently on the porch for a while. Then Ponyboy slid off the porch onto the top step next to Steve. "Hey, Stevie."
"Hey Pone."
"Can we talk?"
"Yeah. What's up?"
"I love you. I love you so much. But, I think I have to stay with Two-Bit. That's just what feels right. I will still always be here for you."
"I understand, Pone. I love you. If you ever want to come back, I will wait."
"That means alot. Thanks Steve." Then Pony hugged Steve, pulling them tight and close. Steve felt so warm. He would miss that feeling. Steve kissed the top of Pony's head.
Then Steve said to Pony "you should get inside with the others."
"Ok just remember, I love you." Then Pony got up and went inside.
To Be Continued...