This is the last chapter, thank you for reading!

(Sodapop's POV)

After my shower, I walked into the bedroom that Ponyboy and I shared, and I was happily surprised to see both of my brothers sleeping on the bed. Darry had a protective arm wrapped around Pony.

Their conversation must've gone well. I smiled and quietly took the ice pack that had fallen before leaving them alone.

For the next couple hours, I cleaned up around the house and did some laundry. Then I figured since none of us had really eaten since the night before, it was about time to make some food. I decided spaghetti with purple meatballs would be the perfect meal, and as soon as the smell wafted around the house, I heard movement come from the bedroom. As Ponyboy slowly walked into the bathroom, Darry strolled into the kitchen.

"It smells good, Soda," he said with a yawn. He looked at lot better and more well-rested than he did that morning.

"Thanks. I figured we should probably eat something today," I said. Then I lowered my voice so Pony wouldn't hear me. "Everything okay with you two?"

He nodded and gave me a small smile. "Yeah, we're alright. Our kid brother's something else."

I stopped working on the food so I could focus completely on Darry. "What do you mean?"

"We have a really good talk, but he also forgave me. I can't even forgive myself. And he apologized for making mistakes, even though he shouldn't feel bad about that," Darry said. "I didn't realize that he was holding onto so many thoughts and emotions."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "I told ya, he feels things differently. If you just talk to him and be patient, he'll tell you everything."

He nodded. "You were right. Thanks, Soda."

I waved my hand at him. "Don't mention it."

Darry set the table and I finished making the food just as Ponyboy came into the kitchen. He obviously cleaned up a little bit, and it was nice to see him look better. He sat down in the nearest chair, and let out a small sigh.

"How ya feelin' Pony?" I asked as I set the food on the table. I sat across from him and next to Darry.

"I'm okay… just have a headache. And I'm starving," he said. He looked at the meatballs and smirked. "I guess we had some food coloring."

Before I could reply, I heard the front door open. I looked past Ponyboy, and saw a familiar figure walking in. "Hey, Johnny. Want some dinner?"

Johnny sat down next to Pony. He looked slightly better than earlier that morning. "No, I'm alright, thanks." Then he looked at Pony. "Hey man, how you doin'?"

Pony grinned. "I'm alright. What about you?"

"I'm fine, Pony. Don't worry about me," Johnny said. Then he looked around. "They guys aren't back yet?"

"What do you mean?" Ponyboy asked.

"Johnny and Two-Bit spent the night last night, and all the guys were here this morning," I quickly explained.

Pony nodded, but still looked confused. "And they're coming back here?"

Johnny looked between Darry and me before looking back at Pony. "That was their plan. They were gonna take care of something, then they were gonna come back here."

Darry and I shared a look. Two-Bit had told us that they were going to look for the Socs, and while Darry kept a poker face, I couldn't help but grin.

"What am I missing?" Pony asked.

I couldn't help but let out a laugh. "I'm sure you'll find out when the guys show up."

We continued to eat for a few minutes, and we even convinced Johnny to eat some spaghetti, before the front door opened again and loud laughter and shouting filled the house. I immediately knew at least Two-Bit had returned.

"Keep it down, will ya? The kid might still be sleeping," I heard Steve say. "Hell, Darry and Soda might be even sleeping."

"We're in here!" I shouted back. I knew Steve and Pony didn't see eye-to-eye, but I appreciated that Steve still cared about my kid brother, even if he didn't like to show it.

When the rest of the gang walked into the kitchen, I raised my eyebrows as I looked them over. Steve had a fat lip and some small cuts on his arms, the side of Two-Bit's face had a bruise already forming, and in addition to a crazy look in his eyes, Dally had blood covering his right arm, but I wasn't sure if it was even his own blood.

"What happened to you guys?" Ponyboy asked with wide eyes.

"Hey, you're awake!" Two-Bit shouted. Then he playfully wrapped an arm around Pony's neck and rubbed his knuckles into the top of Pony's head. "You had us worried, kid."

I saw a look of fright on Pony's face. I was confused at first, but then I figured that the arm around Pony's neck probably made him remember how it felt to be restricted from breathing. At the same moment I realized why Pony was panicking, Darry spoke up. "Lay off, Two-Bit."

Two-Bit widened his eyes and immediately released his hold. Then he placed his hand on Pony's shoulder. "Sorry, Ponyboy."

Ponyboy visibly calmed down. "It's okay." He kept looking at the three newcomers of the gang. "Is anyone gonna tell me why you all look like that?"

"We paid a visit to those Socs you ran into yesterday," Dally said as he reached to grab some spaghetti noodles with his bare hands.

"Go wash up first, Dal," Darry said, motioning to Dally's blood-covered arm. Dally rolled his eyes before he reluctantly walked to the bathroom.

"You… you what?" Ponyboy questioned.

As Two-Bit made himself a plate and leaned against the wall to eat while standing, Steve replied for all of them. "Dally and Johnny found out where those Socs were earlier, and after work, Two-Bit and I met up with Dally to deal with them." Steve grabbed an ice pack and sat next to me, nursing his fat lip. Ponyboy looked at him with raised eyebrows and wide eyes, and Steve scoffed at him. "This is nothing. You should see those Socs."

"I'd be surprised if they're walkin' tomorrow," Dally said as he returned. He plopped into the chair next to Johnny. "They won't bother you guys anymore."

"If they do, they're gonna have a rumble on their hands," Two-Bit said. "And there ain't no way they'd win."

Darry leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. "You got that right." He was grinning. I knew if anyone messed with our gang again, and especially if they messed with our kid brother, Darry wouldn't hesitate to hurt them.

As the whole gang dove into the food and started talking about the fight, Ponyboy, Darry, and I shared a look. Without uttering a word, we all knew what we were thinking. We were happy that we were together, everyone was safe, and there was a sense of ease in the household now that Darry and Pony finally understood each other better.

We all smiled.

We have each other. We are going to be okay.