This has a lot of stops and goes I guess, but you'll understand once you read.

I really want to thank my new beta-reader EternalBookworm. She is AMAZING!

NOTE: I decided to make Pony's age around 12, so picture him younger from now on

Ponyboy sat in bed wide awake - it was Christmas Eve and he was positive that Santa was going to come. He looked up at the round, red, clock once again and sighed. He was sure the clock was broken - it had only been two minutes since the last time he looked at it. Ponyboy knew that if Santa was going to come he would be up and ready to meet him. Ponyboy groaned and for the fifth time that evening slowly crawled out of his bed and opened his door, looking outside. There were currently no presents under the tree. Pony sighed again.

Across the hall a bedroom door opened and Soda stuck his head out. "I thought I heard someone," he whispered while rubbing his eves and yawning.

Ponyboy blushed out of embarrassment for being caught; he didn't think anyone had heard him.

Soda motioned him over and Pony grudgingly agreed. As Pony entered Soda's room he was surprised to see that it was halfway decent - he had heard Darry telling Soda plenty of times to get it cleaned. Pony cautiously sat on Soda's bed, his eyes scanning the room and noticing a magazine with naked lady's on it halfway under the bed... he blushed again.

"Oh, sorry about that," Soda said, sliding the magazine fully under the bed.

Once Soda was fully satisfied that it was covered he turned his attention to Pony. "What's got you up so late?" Soda questioned, confusion in his eyes.

"Santa's comes to-tonight!" Pony replied, moving his eyes to stare at his bare feet instead of at Soda.

Soda scratched his head nodding, "Oh yeah... that would explain it," Soda said mumbling to himself as he sat next to Pony on the bed. "You know what Pone? Santa ain't gonna come if you're awake," Soda replied.

Pony nodded turning the idea over in his head.

"So why don't cha sleep in my bed tonight... maybe then you'll be able to fall asleep." To Soda's astonishment, Pony crawled under the covers situating himself on the right side. Soda then slowly moved to the left side of the bed and murmured," I hope you have a merry Christmas Pony."

~/~

Christmas day was one of the best days of Pony's life. He had found a gift wrapped that morning under the Christmas tree. It was to him from Santa and as he opened it his face broke into a wide grin. It was the pair of socks he wanted. Pony then ran to his room, grabbing the poorly wrapped presents that he got for both Soda and Darry.

Pony gave Soda a box that was full of snow. He knew that Soda loved snow and he wanted to give him some that he could keep forever. The only problem with that gift was that the snow melted and all that was left was water. Pony was heartbroken but Soda reassured him plenty of times that he loved the gift and would keep the water in a jar.

Pony had given Darry laundry detergent, to get it he had done one of Two-Bit's five-fingered-discount. He recalled Darry saying that he was running out of some the first time Pony had met him. Darry laughed and thanked Pony.

Ponyboy in return got a new pair of shoes from Darry and he got his own can of grease from Soda. Ponyboy couldn't be happier.

~/~

Pony sat watching a Christmas special on TV with his presents scattered around him. He had on his new pair of socks and even though he didn't like shoes he put his new ones on as well. Darry walked into the living room,saying that he was headed to the grocery store because he forgot to pick up the ham.

"How could you forget the ham Darry?" Soda exclaimed, then said something about how the store wouldn't be open on Christmas.

Darry reassured him, "If I move fast enough they said they'll be open till 9." Darry then looked towards Ponyboy uncertainly and asked, "Uh, do you want to come Pony?" Pony slowly nodded his head, he felt safe with Darry. Darry wouldn't hurt him.

~/~

The gang made their way over to the Curtis house. The dinner was loud and the poker game consisted of cheating, but it was one of the best Christmas the Curtis brothers had had since their parents passed away.

Pony never wanted this day to end and yet it did. Johnny and Dally were the first to leave and next Two-bit followed saying something along the lines that. "The world needs some of ol' Two-bit's Christmas cheer."

Steve claimed that he'd be back if his father kicked him out and he never did that night.

Pony tiredly went to his room and fell into bed. He situated his Christmas presents around him and fell asleep with a small smile on his face.

The next morning Ponyboy woke up early. After many failed attempts at falling back asleep he decided to go for a walk. He slipped on his new shoes and put on two of Soda's old jackets. He flipped up the hood and was off. Before Pony could realize, the sun had fully risen. He was halfway across town by then and figured he should make his way back. On his way back as he was passing a closed down drug store, when a hand grabbed him roughly by the shoulder.

"Well, well, well, look who we have hear," a voice mused.

At first Ponyboy thought it was Two-bit pulling another prank. But it wasn't and in the split second that Ponyboy could have ran away, he didn't and now he was going to pay. A sharp blade sliced through his right side immediately drawing blood. As it started to drip on to the pavement, Ponyboy gasped What did he do to deserve this?

The Soc laughed while pushing Ponyboy roughly onto the ground. Ponyboy didn't even put up a fight. Why should he? It was going to be like when he got beat up a year ago.

The Soc grabbed him by the neck, bringing him back up and pushing him into the nearest alleyway. Incidentally enough, it was the same alleyway Pony had been sleeping in, more than a month ago. The same blade that sliced his side was now held against his throat.

"Welcome to hell, greaser," the Soc spat as he slowly moved the blade against his neck.

Pony squeezed his eyes shut praying to God that somebody would find him. That's when he realized that Soda and Darry would help him, even the gang.

" DARRY, SODA, DAL-," Pony screeched, suddenly being cut off with a punch in the face.

"Shut your trap greaser," the Soc snapped, following with another punch in the gut.

Pony struggled, but when he got slammed repeatedly against the wall the fight leaked out of him. There's no use struggling, Pony thought, it was just going to be like last time.

He heard running distantly as if in a long tunnel.

Ponyboy was dropped to the ground as a smirk played across the Soc's face. More hands grabbed him and blades were drawn. Feet kicked his head and blades sliced his skin. They were right. Welcome to Hell.

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