Fight

Love's POV

Seeing the anger etched on his features I froze.

I'd seen him mad plenty of times, but never had that emotion been directed at me.

"So that's it?" He asked shaking his head as he tossed his cards on to the table disgusted.

"What's it?" I asked wrapping my arms around myself to ward of the chill suddenly climbing up my spine.

The house had grown unnaturally silent now as Angela stood at the top of the stairs watching the drama unfold, and Curly starred at his cards pretending not to be listening every word spoken.

" You're just going to go home now, like he nothing ever happened?"

" Are you just going to let him treat you however he wants!"

"You don't know shit about my relationship with my brother!" I yelled upset that he was treating one isolated incident like something that happened all the time.

"He's never yelled at me like that before! If you remembered anything about the Curtis' you'd know that!"

"If he did it once who's to say he won't do it again?" He asked moving to stand in front of me.

" He did."

"And you actually believe him?" He asked scowling.

"Tim he' s family, what did you expect me to do hold a grudge for the rest of my life?" I asked exasperated when his scowl deepened.

"That's it isn't it you'd thought I'd just keep on living here, hating one of the only blood relatives I have left!" I said meeting his steely gaze with a fiery one of my own.

"I just think it would be really stupid to walk right back in to the same situation again." He said crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall to look tougher.

Having grown up with three other greaser boys I ignored the attempt and stepped closer.

"What situation Tim! This was a one time thing!" I said angered that he was treating Darry like some abusive asshole.

"For your sake I hope so," He said rolling his eyes at my defense of my brother.

"Well I guess its finally time I see the asshole side of you!" I Hissed feeling like my heart was being torn in two.

If he was trying to make me choose between him or my family he'd lose every time. No matter what the Curtis clan stuck together.

" Just don't come crying back to me when he breaks your heart again!" He yelled making me jump when he punched the wall a few inches from my head.

"You son of a bitch!" I screamed shoving him away as I headed for the door.

"Say hi to your brothers for me," He said smiling as I turned to flip him off.

"Fuck you Shepard!" I yelled slamming the door as I set off at a brisk walk.

If he thought I was going to be like all of the other dumb broads he dated he had another thing coming. I wasn't in awe of him; I wouldn't do or say whatever he asked me to. I had a mind of my own, a will just as strong as his , and a temper to match my hair.

Tim's POV

"You just going to let her go?" Curly asked earning himself a low-lidded glare that told him to mind his own business.

" I could care less where she goes," I lied forcing myself to go back over to the card table, and pick up my hand.

"You're deal," I said lighting a cigarette as I tried to make myself comfortable.

In less than five minutes my happiness had been destroyed. If I had been another type of guy I would have been able to just tell her how I felt without antagonizing. I would have told her I liked her living with me, and asked her to stay. But in my fucked up head that move would have shown weakness, so I had mocked her instead.

"You're a real asshole Tim," My sister said shaking her head as she watched my lack of reaction.

"You telling me you're just now figuring that out?" I asked grinning when her face reddened with anger.

"She aint going to come back here," She said pausing once more to see if I would say anything else.

When I didn't she snorted before walking out, following the path Love had just blazed.

Glory but she had a temper to match the red mass of hair. I forgot that sometimes, because she was so level headed and cool most of the time. She'd come back when she cooled off… at least I hope she would. Sinking lower in to my seat, I took another drag off my weed, purposely ignoring my brother's concerned look.

Love's POV

Fighting not to break in to tears I made my way to the house.

"Hey love!" Two-Bit said going to tackle me, and stopping in mid lunge when he took in my expression.

"Uh oh," Steve said hiding behind his hand of cards.

"What's a matta Coca Cola?" Soda asked frowning.

" Tim's being a dick," I said shrugging as I made my way over to the couch to cuddle next to Dally.

" Want me to kick his ass?" He asked making me laugh.

To anyone else he would've sounded like he was joking, but I knew if I were to say yes, the next time I saw Tim he'd be sporting at least one black eye.

"Nah," I said grateful for the arm that slipped around my shoulders, and held me closer.

Snuggling in to the lanky frame that had always brought me comfort I closed my eyes wondering what I was going to do.

This was the first fight we'd ever had, and if we stayed together I knew there would he many more to come. Mom used to tell me all the time about how much Dad could piss her off sometimes, and be completely oblivious to why she was so upset. Said it was just the way guys were, and that's why communication was so important in a relationship. Thinking of Tim I frowned. He didn't talk, he told, and he sure as hell wasn't the best listener.

"What'd you fight about?" Dally asked.

"Darry," I said sighing.

" He came over earlier, and apologized , asked me to move back home, and I agreed, and Tim just flipped out, said I shouldn't forget and forgive so easily."

"But he's your brother," Dally said shaking his head.

"That's exactly what I said , I mean look at how much trouble he's gotten in over Ang, and Curly, he still helps them out when they need it. They stay with him for Christ's sake," I said shaking my head at the double standard.

"Ya know Love, Tim and me are a lot a like he only lashed out like that cause he didn't want you to leave."

"Yea, well maybe next time he'll learn how to communicate," I said rolling my eyes as I let myself become engrossed in the movie on the screen.

"Hey," Said a voice that made me blink.

Stretching I Slowly adjusted to the dim lighting. I must've fallen asleep.

"Ang?" I asked sleepily.

"Yea, you okay?"

"MM hmmm, I guess the first argument had to happen some time," I said shrugging.

" Want to get drunk?" I asked laughing when she nodded.

"Let's find Two-Bit and hunt up some action," I said laughing as we snuck out the front door.

It was about twelve now, so the parties would be at their high point soon.

Leaning against Two Bit two hours later I bit back laughter. His jokes, and the fifth of Jack I'd downed were making everything a lot funnier.

" You ok Lovey?" He asked as I watched Tim across the room flirting with some of the local skanks.

"Yeap, he can look all he wants, but the minute he touches, I'll kill him and her," I said shrugging as I tried to enjoy myself.

Ang had disappeared with Pony boy an hour ago leaving me here with Two-Bit.

"Dallas!" I yelled throwing myself in to his arms as he walked in.

"Well hi there Love, been drinking?" Heasked laughing when I wrapped my legs around his waist , and let him carry me over to the liquor.

Tim's POV

Watching Love with Dallas made me sick to my stomach. He had always been real gentle with her, and I had often wondered if he felt more than just brotherly toward her. Seeing her lithe legs wrapped around his waist put me in a fowl mood. I knew she'd never two time me, but I wasn't sure if Dallas would make a move or not. He owed me for getting down with Sylvia a couple of times. Tossing back the bottle of Jamison whiskey I ignored the girls vying for my attention, and watched Dallas lead Love in to a room off to the side.