No Name, I'm glad you loved it! Thanks so much ^^

HeDgEhOgSwItHsUnGlaSSeS, here's part one of the cookie chapter! :)

Ten

Winnie the Pooh, my old plushie (who I thought was goddamned hid under our goddamned bed) is laying in my arms when I wake up. Goddamned brother of mine. I thought he had no idea about that.

Turning over, I find him laying there, looking tired but smug, one eyebrow cocked, eyes sparkling. He's probably hung over. He says, "I found dirty magazines under Kirby's bed."

I hug Winnie to my chest. Goddamn him!

Then another thought hits me: Those goddamned cookies.

I can't ever look at TwoBit the same way now. Maybe that's good or maybe it's not. Something between me and TwoBit is different now. I think. Like Constance would put it, we're at peace. Peace of mind or some crap. So, if that's true, I have no hesitation asking him for money.

"What for?"

I write out a quick answer. To my surprise, he nods and hands me five bucks. Sheesh. I can buy a lot more than cookie ingredients with that. Oh well.

Off to shop.

The people at the store give me funny looks. They remember when I flung a tomato at TwoBit. I sigh happily as I pick out the flour. Those were the days...

I check to make sure I have it all. Flour, sugar, milk, butter...Oops. I'm sure Ponyboy has eggs at his house. It should be fine. In the end I still have a dollar and a half, almost. Maybe I'll see a movie later. Or acouple.

Oh Lord. I'm praying he'll be home. It's unlikely, but it's always good to have a reason to pray.

I swing open the front door to the Curtis', careful not to let the screen slam behind me. As soon as I'm in, that welcome home smell washes over me. It's like chocolate, cancer sticks and that natural smell everyone has mixed into one. I love that smell more than TwoBit after a shower and he uses that special soap.

I set the bag in the kitchen and start opening all the cupboards, getting all the stuff out. I start singing Poision Ivy League in my mind. I'm going about my business, swinging my hips and making the Elvis Face, when I hear scruffling feet behind me.

I could scream. It's Ponyboy!

Ick. His skin is all pale and waxy. His nose is bright red and there's a kleenex box tucked under his arm. He's as sick as a dog.

"Hey, Kirby," Pony says, his voice all gross and nasally. I have to restrain myself from leaping at him and smothering him in hugs and kisses.

I settle for waving until my arm aches.

"Are you makin' somethin'?"

I nod, holding up the shortbread recipe.

"Yummm," says Ponyboy. "I'm goin' back to bed. Take as long as you need."

How nice of him! I just wanna run around and hug everything! I don't care if I get sick.

He allows a small smile. Good old Pony, happy even when he's sick. You just gotta love him.

I go through all the incredibly boring steps involved in baking. I still can't believe how amazing I am. Holy shit.

While I'm waiting for the cookies to turn brownish, I quietly pad into Pony and Soda's room. Snotty tissues litter the floor. Pony is laying in bed, asleep, the box of Kleenex still right beside him.

He's so adorable, even like this. I could seriously just sit here all day and stare. And I do, at least for fifteen or so minutes. Hopefully he doesn't wake up and realize I'm a dipstick. Then I remember the cookies, and once again I'm back into life.

A couple of them got burned. Only a couple. I place them neatly on a plate. I walk back into Pony's room and leave three on the desk beside him. With a heavy heart, I take the rest and leave.

Just as I'm about to leave, I frantically turn on my heel and rush back to Pony. I lean over his sleeping form and plant a small, loud kiss on his sweaty forehead. His skin is soft, slightly wet, obviously sickly. I pry my mouth away and look down at him, one half wishing he would wake up and kiss me back, the other half...I'm too afraid to think of.

His nose twitches (adorable) but that's all. My hand hovers above his hair. I feel like stroking it back, the way TwoBit does when I'm sick. But I don't.

On the way to Constance's, my lips are tingling. It feels like they're still somehow glued to Ponyboy. I feel like I'm gonna burst.

Listening to: Crime of the Century, Supertramp