Chapter 11
Before long night time had come around. Darry flopped down his paper and stood up to open the front door.
"Ponyboy it's getting late now, it's time for bed," Darry instructed.
Pony had been quietly reading out on the porch; though struggling greatly to focus on the words on the paper.
Ponyboy immediately did as he was told, no arguments.
He put down his book once inside and approached his oldest brother.
"Goodnight Darry."
Soda watched Pony hug Darry.
"Goodnight Ponyboy, sleep well," Darry replied.
Pony and Darry never would have done that before I left, I guess things do change, Soda thought.
Soda waited anxiously for Pony to give him a hug but nothing came.
"Goodnight baby," Soda announced; trying to smooth things as much as possible, however Pony just gave a quick glance at Soda and a brief goodnight in response.
Soda felt utterly crushed, he wanted Pony to be okay with everything, but it was proving harder than he could imagine.
Pony made his way to his bedroom but stopped down the hall and swallowed hard; it's now or never.
Pony turned back and walked back into the living room.
"Ponyboy, what are you doing?" Darry questioned, upon seeing his little brother back in the room after he told him to go to bed.
"Um I just wanted a drink," Pony replied quietly.
"Well be quick," Darry instructed.
Pony walked into the kitchen and side glanced at Soda as he passed.
Pony gulped down a large glass of water.
It's only Soda; the worst he could say is no, Pony thought, as he built up the courage to ask his brother his burning question.
Since when has Soda ever said no? Pony questioned himself.
Taking a deep breath, Pony walked back out into the living room, standing stationary in the room for a brief moment.
Darry gazed up from his paper.
"Is there something wrong Ponyboy?"
Pony stared down at the ground then lifted his head to face his newly changed brother.
"Um: Soda?" Pony called quietly.
Soda looked attentively at his brother.
"What is it Ponyboy?" Soda asked in his typical Sodapop concerned voice.
Just hurry up and ask before he doesn't want to listen. You're wasting his time, voices inside Pony's head told him.
"Soda, do you...do you think you could maybe stay with me tonight like you used to? If...if you don't want to, I understand...it's been so long and you probably..." Pony's rambling was cut off by Soda, who was now showing a beaming smile.
"I'd like that more than ever Ponyboy."
Soda's relief was beyond anything the middle greaser could describe; it was all he'd hoped for in so long.
Pony smiled. I hope I did the right thing. What if Soda being in the bed made me even more scared of losing him? Pony shuddered at his thought.
"Just go to bed Pony, I'll be in soon," Soda instructed.
Pony walked down to his bedroom and got into his night clothes, climbing into bed. Pony made sure his back was towards the door and Soda's side of the bed. This way I can feel him there but I don't have to believe he is real.
Pony heard Soda hobble into the bedroom and after some maneuvering of Soda getting into his sleep wear, Pony felt a movement next to him as Soda climbed into the bed.
Soda rested his arm over his brother which made Pony flinch and his heart jump; he was still trying to convince himself that Soda's coming back was real.
After a brief moment, the quiet breathing of the brothers was silenced out when Ponyboy let out a whisper.
"Soda I really missed you."
"I missed you too Ponyboy," Soda mirrored.
Soda wrapped his arm tighter around Pony; he couldn't believe he was actually home and being able to hug his little brother he adored so much.
Soda's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a faint sniffle and he may have missed out on some of Pony's life but he still knew when his brother was upset and crying.
Soda leaned over to see Pony's tear stained cheek and he gently brushed his hand over Pony's cheek, wiping away his tears.
"What's wrong Ponyboy?" Soda whispered.
Pony wasn't sure how to answer his brother; he felt like a stranger somehow.
"Ponyboy you know you can always talk to me. I know I haven't been here for you for awhile, but I'm here now. You're still my little brother and I your big brother. We used to talk real good, we still can," Soda whispered.
Pony remained quiet, though still sniffling, and Soda waited patiently for his response; it paid off and Pony shifted around onto his back to look at his brother.
"It scared me when you didn't write for so long and weren't here...Soda, I...I thought you were dead."
Ponyboy finished on a sob and turned back away from Soda, having a feeling of shame.
"Oh it's okay Pony, you don't have to be upset about feeling like that. I'm sorry I couldn't write and led you to feel like that."
Soda gently wiped Pony's falling tears again.
"Pony I'm gonna make you a promise, nothing is ever gonna keep me away from you or Darry and if I have to fight for my life to come back to you guys then I'll do that," Soda whispered and pulled Pony in closer to him; Pony had to admit Soda felt a lot more stronger than he ever used to be.
"I didn't mean to make you feel bad by what I said or how I've been acting," Pony whispered.
Soda smiled and gently rested his chin on Pony's shoulder, "It's okay Pony."
"You wanna know somethin'?" Soda whispered in Pony's ear and Pony nodded in response.
"When I was dealing through my toughest times, all I could think about was you and Darry, all the fun we used to have as the gang. You pulled me through and gave me hope."
Pony turned his head and smiled at Soda.
"Do...do you think you could show me your medals tomorrow, please?" the younger teen asked quietly.
Soda nodded, "Sure Pony, but right now we need to get some sleep; I'm tired. I've been waiting for a good night sleep in a comfy bed for ages and what way to spend it than with my kid brother?"
Pony snuggled down, getting himself comfortable and while doing so kicked his leg around and noticed the unfamiliar presence of Soda's missing leg.
Pony realised it didn't matter if Soda looked different or couldn't muck around with him like he used to; he was his big brother with the always cheeky, beaming smile and he loved him more than anything in the world.
For the first time since the incidence of War, Pony felt safe and comfortable in Soda's arms.
"Soda?" Pony whispered.
Even though Pony heard no reply he had to tell Soda how he felt.
Ponyboy took a heavy breath before speaking from his heart.
"Soda, you're my hero."
Soda didn't reply and for a brief moment Pony thought he hadn't said it loud enough or that Soda was only being nice before and really didn't want to listen to Pony talk.
"Soda?" Pony called and gently twisted around to find Soda fast asleep.
Pony smiled and rested against his pillow and closed his eyes; falling into a deep and peaceful sleep. The Curtis brothers were together once again.
The next morning after Darry had gone to work, Pony and Soda sat together on the couch and Soda went through all his medals the same as he had done with Darry the day previous.
Pony sat in admiration as Soda placed each of the medals on the table.
Feeling overcome with pride Pony smiled widely and threw himself at Soda, wrapping his arms tight around Soda's neck in an enormous hug.
The impact led Soda to fall backwards against the couch.
"Whoa kiddo," Soda laughed and wrapped his arms immediately around Pony's slim waist.
"I can't believe you did all that!" Pony exclaimed with tears quickly filling his eyes.
Soda chuckled and pushed Pony away from him; glancing into his youngest brother's eyes.
"Oh Pony: it's okay," Soda comforted.
"You are so brave Soda and you're the best brother anyone could ask for," Pony croaked as his voice became muffled as he choked back his sobs.
"Well you're a mighty fine brother too, Ponyboy," Soda replied, hugging Pony tightly again in response.
Pony couldn't contain his sobs anymore, being overwhelmed with being in Soda's embrace and his admiration for his brother, and allowed the salty tears to slip down his face.
Soda held his brother for a further few minutes then pushed him out of the hug; giving Pony a soothing smile as he gazed into Pony's eyes, noticing that despite Pony getting older he still had his innocence and vulnerability inside him.
"Hey, I got an idea," Soda announced.
Pony furrowed his brow; wiping his eyes with the back of his arm as he sat back down next to his brother, watching the older greaser closely.
Soda picked up his medal for courage and smiled at his brother, leaning over and gently pinning it onto Pony's shirt.
Pony's eyes widening as he stared down at the medal hanging on his shirt.
"Now you're courageous too," Soda smiled and playfully ruffled Pony's hair.
Pony didn't flinch; too fixated on the medal.
"Take it off," Pony demanded in a shaky tone.
"Huh?"
"Take it off Soda!" Pony yelled.
It didn't feel right to him to be wearing his brother's hard earned medals.
"Hey calm down Pony," Soda said softly, but complied with his brother's wishes, taking off the medal.
Pony flopped back against the couch not saying a word and staring at the floor with a sad look upon his face.
"What's wrong Pony?" Soda asked, gently rubbing Pony's shoulder.
"You shouldn't have done that Soda," Pony grumbled.
Soda frowned, confused by his brother's reaction.
"Why Pony? I was just thinking how brave you were, having to deal with all the worries here whilst I was gone; I didn't mean to upset you," Soda continued in his soft voice.
"It's just, you've been through so much, and I'm scared," Pony admitted; he was now fidgeting with his hands in his lap.
Soda pushed himself closer to Pony and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.
"What are you scared of honey; you can tell me you know that right?" Soda whispered, using his soothing voice; the voice that Pony remembered all too well if he ever needed comfort.
Pony glanced up at his older brother and twisted his fingers together.
"I'm scared...I'm scared you're not gonna be like you used to be," Pony confessed, while the older brother listened attentively.
"I mean we can't run together, wrestle, or play around," Pony whispered sadly.
Soda sighed and hugged his brother.
"Pony of course we can; well not the run part, but we can still wrestle. It'll just be harder for me but don't think that'll give you ample opportunity; I'm still stronger and bigger than you and if nothing else I can still give you a good tickle torture," Soda smirked, poking Pony's abdomen lightly.
"No Soda!" Pony shrieked, even though Soda barely touched him.
Soda laughed, "Looks like I'd still kick your butt at it too."
Soda shoved Pony close into him, roughing him up in a hug.
"Soda," Pony whined in a fit of laughs.
Soda pulled back and slumped against the couch.
"Hey: you hungry, Ponyboy?"
Pony shrugged.
"Cause I'm starving; I'm gonna go see what Darry's got in the cupboard. Come join me kiddo," Soda smiled and gestured with a nod of his head.
Soda made a grab for his crutches and steadied himself as he stood up. Pony watched his brother and noticed how easily Soda walked on his crutches; almost like they didn't bother him at all.
"Come on Pone," Soda pressed, having turned around to see Pony still on the couch.
Pony got up and followed Soda into the kitchen.
"Nah don't feel like a sandwich or crackers. I wonder if Dar's got some ingredients for a chocolate cake," Soda beamed, reaching up to look through the cupboards and pulling out some flour and icing sugar.
Pony gave a smile remembering all the times Soda used to love making chocolate cake.
"Now let's see if I can remember how to make this?" Soda questioned; pausing for a moment to think.
Soda began mixing ingredients together and Pony saw Soda attempt to pour in more sugar.
"Soda, you've already added the sugar; don't put too much in," Pony whined.
"But that's the best way Pony," Soda defended.
"No it's not Soda," Pony complained, however unable to hide his laugh.
Soda playfully scowled at his little brother and flicked a small amount of the sloppy cake mix at his brother, hitting Pony in the nose.
"Hey: Soda!" Pony protested, laughing.
Soda laughed, "I'm the one cooking here Pone."
"Yeah but you don't have to overload the sugar and flick food."
Soda smirked and deliberately flicked the cake mix at Pony again.
"Soda!" Pony protested, but this time Pony grabbed a small handful of flour and tossed it at his brother; showering Soda's shoulder in the white powder.
"Now who's playing?" Soda snickered and soon enough the two brothers were tossing ingredients at each other and laughing as the Curtis kitchen was transformed into a mess of brown flour and sugar.
After about twenty minutes the brothers had exhausted themselves and Soda poured the mix into a tin, and with Pony's help placed it into the oven.
"Guess we got to clean this place up now before Darry gets home," Soda smirked.
"It was your mess, Sodapop," Pony teased.
"Oh yeah, well I'll just tell Darry you made it all," Soda teased in return.
"Soda," Pony laughed, knowing his brother was joking.
"Come here Pony," Soda requested.
Pony approached his brother and Soda released one of his crutches to wrap his arm around Pony's shoulder, both laughing and so caught up in the moment that they hadn't noticed Darry had come back from his job and had since stood in the kitchen staring at the mess.
"Sodapop, Ponyboy; who is responsible for this mess?" he said sternly.
"Soda wanted to make a cake," Pony dobbed, still laughing.
"Way to tell Pony," Soda retorted.
Darry shook his head, feeling pleased his brothers were having fun and life seemed back to normal.
Darry approached his brothers and leaned his strong arms around bother their shoulders.
"Well as long as this mess is cleaned up, little brothers," Darry warned, giving both Soda and Pony a hard ruffle of their hair with his large hand.
"Darry, don't pick on someone who's crippled," Soda joked.
Darry scoffed.
"You can't use that one on me all the time, little buddy," Darry replied and squeezed both his brothers in a hug.
No war was ever going to take their brother away from them again; Soda was here to stay and the Curtis brothers would remain as one tough union.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Many thanks, to all those that have: read, followed, favourited and reviewed this story. I have appreciated your support greatly.
- Lovetoread75: It has been such a pleasure having you read along with this story and to hear your feedback of positive enjoyment throughout with your long reviews. Thank you for your support and I'm pleased you loved the story. :)
- Ponygirlrunner25: Many thanks for tuning in with this story and providing such wonderful support and feedback, and engaging in the chapters emotionally. It's such a joy to know you enjoyed the story and I have treasured all your lovely compliments on my writing. :)
- GreaserG1rl201: Thank you for your positive support through this story. Knowing that my writing could be so effective on someone means a lot, and your positivity and encouragement for me as a writer is something I take to heart, so thank you. :)
- sjwmaw: Many thanks for checking out my story and providing some reviews; I have appreciated it greatly, and I'm happy to hear you have enjoyed the story. :)
- Bonnie Sveen Fan: Thank you for reading and reviewing an unfamiliar story; it's truly an honor for me. :)
- Unknow Identity 90: Thank you so much for following along with each of my chapters and leaving reviews.
- mycookiegirl: Thanks for reading and reviewing when you could. It's a pleasure knowing you enjoyed the times between the characters and believed the story to be emotional. :)
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- Guest: Thank you for the compliment on the story and my writing and for reading along.
