The next day, Soda was having some time to himself. He really needed it. He felt like he had always been around someone for every minute of the day, or someone has always been in the house. Being completely alone was refreshing. It lasted a couple hours before Two-Bit walked in.

"Hey," Soda smiled. Two-Bit showing up wasn't the worst person to ruin his alone time.

"Hey where's Darry?"

"At work. Pony and Johnny are playing football at the park. Why are you wondering where Darry is?" Soda asked confused.

"I found out who sent that letter," Two-Bit said.

"Really?"

Two-Bit nodded, "Steve had plenty to do with it."

"What? How?"

"Well I guess Steve's been hanging around Evie again. We all know how she is right now. She's willing to do everything and anything to get back with Steve."

Soda felt his heart drop, remembering just a little while ago how she tried getting back with Steve but he took Soda's side instead.

"So, Evie sent that letter?" Soda asked.

"No, she had her little brother do it."

"What? Isn't he like Pony's age?"

Two-Bit nodded, "But who cares? He deserves a beating, and so does Steve. He acted like he knew nothing about it."

Soda was quiet.

"What?" Two-Bit asked, knowing he probably got carried away with that statement.

"I think I'm confused on how to feel about it."

Two-Bit sat down next to Soda, "Well, what are you feeling?"

Soda sighed, "I'm confused about my feelings with Evie."

"Evie?" Two-Bit asked confused.

"Yeah. I mean, Steve really didn't care to get back together with her, so I'm sure he's just using her. But I'm sure he's doing it to hurt me. Like throw it in my face that there's no way I have a chance with him."

Two-Bit slowly grabbed Soda's hand, "It shouldn't matter. Let him do it. As far as I'm concerned, it shouldn't matter."

"I know it shouldn't," Soda looked down. He was beginning to feel bad. Two-Bit clearly wanted something between them, and Soda was struggling to let go of the feelings he had for Steve for so long.

"Hey," Two-Bit lifted Soda's face, "It's okay. I know you can't just let go and forget years of friendship."

"You seem to be able to," Soda pointed out.

Two-Bit shook his head, "I know Steve's been my friend for years, not as many years as you, but we've obviously been like brothers ever since any of us could remember. That's what this whole gang is. He did something really shitty though Sodapop. It's like if any one of us in the gang was different in a way that he didn't agree with, he'd hate us for it. That's not okay."

"I know. I just don't want to hurt anymore over him."

Two-Bit scooted closer and pulled Soda up to him, bringing their lips together. He didn't say anything else, just continued to kiss Soda, who willingly accepted it. It was an easy, temporary escape from it all. Two-Bit began laying Soda down as he climbed on top of him. As Two-Bit slid his hand up Soda's shirt, Soda grabbed his hand tight.

"Okay, okay," Two-Bit pulled his hand back, "I know, I know."

"Sorry," Soda said.

"You don't have to be sorry."

"It just scares me."

"What does?" Two-Bit asked running his hand through Soda's hair.

"I want to do things, but...it just seems everything that runs through my head makes it feel so wrong. It really does make me feel like my life is meant to rot in hell if I do it."

Two-Bit kissed Soda's cheek and down his neck, "It's okay."

"I know you don't care if it's wrong or anything," Soda said.

"Not really," Two-Bit smiled, "But it's fine. We'll do whatever on your time."

Soda smiled, "Can we go in the kitchen?"

Two-Bit cocked an eyebrow, "Why?"

"I don't want Pony to walk in to you on top of me," Soda smirked.

Two-Bit laughed as he sat up, "Hey, everyone in the gang has been on top of each other at one time or another."

"Yeah when we're wrestling," Soda chuckled.

"You're underestimating me being able to change a scene in seconds," Two-Bit winked, "Anytime my mom or sister walked in the house and I had to throw a broad out the window."

Soda laughed, "That's not changing a scene, that's attempted murder."

Two-Bit stood up from the couch and pulled Soda up, "Just get in there so I can keep kissing you."

Soda was in the backyard later that day. He was beginning to like the times he would just sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. It was reminding him what Ponyboy liked to do with sunsets. Maybe Soda would watch one soon.

It wasn't long before he heard voices from inside the house. They sounded a little heated, but he wasn't sure who they belonged to. As he walked back up the steps to the backdoor, he heard the last bit of a sentence that sounded like Darry's voice.

"...Pony."

Soda opened the door and walked inside.

"What happened to Ponyboy?" Soda asked looking between the two.

Darry sighed, not even going to try and hide it, "He came home with a bloody nose and busted lip."

"Steve did it," Two-Bit added in, "He was talking shit with people and made a big deal that he could hurt Pony, the little brother of the gay guy."

"Just hold on," Darry said.

"No! I don't care anymore, I'm going to get Dally and we're going to put Steve in his place!" Two-Bit yelled as he turned to leave the house

Darry sighed. There wasn't much arguing he could do. For one, Two-Bit wasn't one of his brothers he could really stop from doing anything. For another, Steve hurt both of his brothers, and he was just as upset as Two-Bit was. He wasn't really against hearing about Two-Bit or Dally getting involved. Darry was caught in a tough place. He knew that if he hurt Steve, and the police got involved, they would ultimately take Steve's side because of Soda being gay. They would probably even arrest Darry for supporting his gay brother.

"Where is Pony?" Soda asked.

"My room resting," Darry said. Soda began pacing. What was Steve becoming? He was hurting Soda anyway he could. He knew exactly how to hurt Soda the worst too, and that was through his little brother. Fear left Soda for the first time in a long time, and now he was just angry. He marched out of the house and stopped Two-Bit.

"Two-Bit wait! Don't go!"

"Soda, just stay here, okay?" Two-Bit insisted, "I'll be fine."

"No! I'm sick of Steve playing this game! I'm going to take care of this," Soda said, "By myself."

Two-Bit looked at Soda for awhile, checked that no one was around before grabbing his hand and pulling him behind the opened car door. "Soda...I know you're upset about Pony..."

"I'm past upset," Soda pulled his hand away, "Steve was my best friend, he knows how to hurt me. Hurting Ponyboy was one of them. I'm going to stop Steve from going any further."

Two-Bit sighed. He really didn't want Soda going, especially alone. He wasn't sure how emotionally unstable Soda was becoming and that concerned Two-Bit even more. He also knew that he couldn't fight Soda's battles forever, no one could.

"Two-Bit," Soda said, "Once he finds out me and you really could be something, he'll try to hurt you too. I can't let it get that far. Please?"

Two-Bit grabbed Soda's hand again and finally nodded, "Okay...okay, go handle it." Two-Bit handed Soda his car keys.

"Thank you," Soda said.

Two-Bit pulled Soda over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, "Be. Careful."

"I will."

"Come straight back here," Two-Bit said as Soda drove off.

Soda checked Steve's house, the DX, the park, the vacant lot, and the drag race track. No Steve. Soda's last idea was Buck's. It was far fetched, but Soda was willing to check. Darry would hate him for going there and Two-Bit wouldn't favor it either. Steve didn't usually go to Buck's, but Soda wasn't sure where else to go. Whether Dally or anyone else was there to help Soda, it didn't matter. He was confronting Steve no matter what. Soda parked Two-Bit's car in the parking lot. He sat there for a moment and looked around for Steve's car. Everyone parked however they wanted at Buck's though, and it was dark, so it was a lost cause.

After taking a deep breath and the thought of Ponyboy getting punched running through his mind, Soda stepped out of the car and entered Buck's place. He looked around. It was loud and everyone was being wild and out of control. Typical night at Buck's place. Soda suddenly felt he could be safe there, because no one was paying attention to him. He was so focused on finding Steve, he hadn't noticed Tim Shepard walking towards him.

"Hey Curtis, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"Looking for Steve, have you...?"

"Kid," Tim interrupted, "don't go near him. He has been on edge the past couple days. He'll pick a fight with people if they say one wrong thing to him. Lord knows what he'd do to you. The only person he's being all cheery with is Evie." Nothing Tim said was worrying Soda. He knew Tim was trying to be helpful, but Soda didn't care anymore.

"Are they back together?"

Tim shrugged, "She says yes, he says she's a good way to blow off steam...if you catch my drift."

Soda nodded, "So I take it he's upstairs then."

Tim just looked at Soda and saw how serious he was, "Don't say I didn't warn you." He walked off. Soda went over to the stairs and walked on up. He walked by each bedroom and slightly peeked inside. One room had the door cracked and two people were yelling. Soda recognized Steve's voice.

"I told you, I'm not ready to get back seriously Evie! If you keep asking me, I never will be!"

"Look at what we've been doing Steve!" Soda could hear Evie yell and cry, "Everyone thinks we are back together."

"Only because you say we are!" Steve barked back, "It's all just fooling around and having fun together. That's it!"

Soda opened the door completely and saw Evie sitting on the bed tearing up and Steve standing over her. They both turned to look at Soda.

"Oh my God..." Evie muttered as she turned to look up at Steve. It was like she was seeing a ghost. She couldn't imagine what could happen next.

Steve got a smirk across his lips, "This is about Pony ain't it?"

"Pony?" Evie asked.

Soda nodded, "You do not...do not ever...touch my brother. If you have a problem with me, deal with me."

"Steve, don't start anything..." Evie barely whispered, "What did you do to Ponyboy?"

"Evie get out of here," Steve said walking towards Soda, "This is between me and..."

Evie jumped up and put her hands on Steve's chest to push him away, "No! You are with me right now! Stay with me!" Steve grabbed Evie's hands and pushed her back onto the bed.

"Downstairs," Steve said to Soda. Soda walked out of the room and to the stairs walking tall. Steve quickened his pace and shoved Soda, causing him to fall down the rest of the steps. Steve hurried down the stairs and jumped the last few, but before he could start anything, Tim lifted Soda up and Buck got between everyone.

"Steve, that's enough! You've caused more trouble here than I can allow!" Buck yelled over everyone, "Underage drinking and starting shit with everyone! All these fights and broken things!" Steve looked like he was about to take a hit at Buck, but instead made his way to the door. "Do not come back until things are straightened up with you! I mean it!" With Steve being kicked out like that, Soda could tell he had been getting kicked out a lot lately.

"I told you," Tim said to Soda, "Whatever it is you're mad or upset about, I'm assuming it's the whole gay thing, don't go after Steve. He's becoming dangerous, even for himself."

Soda just looked down, "What do you think he'll do?"

"Hell if I know."

"He hurt Ponyboy today."

"He was ranting about something like that. He didn't say names, but everyone seemed to catch on who he was talking about."

"So what am I suppose to do? What if he goes after someone else next?"

Tim placed a hand on Soda's shoulder and lead him outside, "Soda, I'm going to warn you about something. I like you kid, I like your family, y'all deserve to know. And quite frankly, Steve's getting on my last nerve."

Soda nodded, "What is it?"

"Steve is pissed about the whole gang taking your side and everything, alright?"

"Yeah no shit," Soda smirked.

"He may just be being drunk when he says this, but he keeps talking this big game that he's going to make y'all regret this."

"What?" Soda asked, "How?"

"I don't know. That's what I mean by he may just be talking drunk talk. I'm not completely into the whole gay thing Soda, but I'm not bothered by it enough to be so extreme," Tim shrugged, "That's just how it is today though. You don't just have greasers to worry about, it ain't legal to authorities either."

Soda slowly nodded, "I should get home." Tim watched as Soda got into Two-Bit's car and drove off. When he arrived home, Two-Bit and Darry were outside talking. They both seemed relieved Soda was home safely, and with no marks.

"How did it go?" Darry asked.

"Well, he tried fighting me, but Buck kicked him out. I talked to Tim..." Soda was rushing through everything when Darry interrupted him.

"Wait, you went to Buck's?" Darry nearly yelled.

Soda sighed, "Yes, and I'm sorry. I know that's the last place I should be..."

"Especially when everyone knows about you," Darry added in.

"But that's where he was!" Soda finished, "Now please just listen!" Darry stopped himself from going any further. Soda glanced at Two-Bit, who was staring at the ground in disappointment. "Tim told me that Steve was becoming dangerous. He's getting in fights and saying he's going to make the gang regret being on my side."

"How is he going to make us regret it?" Two-Bit asked.

"Tim just said how much this has effected Steve, so now he's going to do something about it," Soda said near tears.

"Oh come on, what's the worst Steve could do?" Two-Bit said, "He ain't going to try and touch Darry or Dally."

Soda just stared off as his eyes grew more watery, "No...I saw Steve, I saw his eyes, I heard his voice...he's changed."

The rest of the night, Two-Bit and Soda sat quietly on the couch, waiting for Darry to go up to bed.

"I'm going to get to bed," Darry yawned, "I'm exhausted. Pony went straight to bed while you were gone Soda, so you can talk to him in the morning."

"Okay," Soda looked down, "Does Pony blame me?"

"Of course not," Darry shook his head, "He just blames the world for how they have to be."

Two-Bit nodded, "Don't we all?"

As Darry went upstairs to bed, Two-Bit spoke up about his worries to Soda.

"Soda, how could you go to Buck's?" Two-Bit asked right away, "It's already dangerous for you or me to go there, but now the whole gay thing...people could just hold you down and pumble you to death, and no one would help you."

"Two-Bit it's fine," Soda argued, "If anything, Tim was backing me up okay? Buck didn't say anything about me anyways, he was too busy kicking Steve out."

"Still Soda," Two-Bit scooted closer to him, "I don't want to see you get hurt."

"So what am I suppose to do?" Soda asked, "Just act like Steve didn't punch Ponyboy right in the face?"

"I'm just saying maybe let us take care of it," Two-Bit said, "You know me or Dally will take care of it easily."

Soda looked at Two-Bit, "I know, but this was too personal. I had to do something. I didn't really get to do anything, but I had to approach him myself."

"I understand Soda," Two-Bit gave Soda's cheek a peck.

"Is this how it's always going to go?" Soda asked.

"What?"

"We talk about something serious and then just make out afterwards?" Soda smirked.

"Is there a problem with that?" Two-Bit smiled.

Soda shook his head with a grin coming across his face, "No." He pulled Two-Bit close and planted a kiss on his lips.

Two-Bit broke the kiss for a moment, "You should consider yourself lucky. With the girls I've dated, I would skip the serious conversation and just go straight to making out, and then whatever else it lead to."

"Like being thrown out the window?" Soda chuckled.

"Yeah, something like that," Two-Bit said as he kissed Soda again.

The two just sat on the couch, embraced in each other as they kissed. Neither of them kept track of the time, and neither of them cared.