A few minutes passed. It felt like a long time of just silence. Soda didn't move. He wouldn't dare look at his brothers. Two-Bit had assured him his brothers would accept him no matter what, but he wasn't so confident in that. Every little bit he would feel Two-Bit squeeze his shoulder as comfort.

Soda flinched as he heard one of the chairs slide. Someone had gotten up, but he didn't know who. He couldn't look as he squeezed his eyes shut tight. Soda could feel the tension rise even more. A pair of arms wrapped around him. He had not expected that. Opening his eyes, he saw Ponyboy bringing him a tight hug. Soda hadn't expected that at all and lost it. He began crying as he returned the embrace.

"Oh Ponyboy," Soda choked out, "I'm so glad you don't hate me."

"I could never hate you Soda," Pony said, "I don't care how you are. I'll always love you."

Darry slowly stood up from his spot. Soda was most nervous of Darry's feelings.

"Darry? A-Are you mad?" Soda asked while avoiding eye contact. He just kept looking down at Ponyboy.

"Oh little buddy," Darry said, "Of course not. I wish you would have felt comfortable to tell us."

"I'm sorry," Soda said, "I didn't know how."

Darry walked over and pulled his little brothers into a tight hug. "Well we know now. That's what's important."

"Y'all are going to make me cry," Two-Bit grinned.

"You ruin moments, you know that?" Pony smirked.

Two-Bit walked out to the back porch. Darry was sitting on the steps. The Curtis brothers had a long embrace. Soda cried as weight seemed to have lifted off of him. Two-Bit had felt his own relief as Soda finally told his brothers everything that had been happening to him and confirming what Two-Bit had told about Steve. Now Darry was taking some time outside to himself. "Hey," Two-Bit sat down.

"Hey."

"How are you doing?"

Darry nodded as he rubbed his hands together, "Good. Fine."

"You really are okay with Soda being this way, aren't you?"

"Of course," Darry shook his head, "I could never hate Sodapop. Never. I'm just thinking about everything else. When you were kind of explaining what was going on with Steve, I actually assumed that's what it was going to be."

"Really? I didn't want to just jump out and say it. Soda had to tell you."

"No, I know. I appreciate that. It's just the things you were trying to describe just...it sounded like a sexuality thing, but I wasn't sure. "

Two-Bit sighed, "Soda kissed Steve."

Darry looked at Two-Bit, "Really? So that's why Steve is being like this? I mean, really angry."

"Yeah. And I tried comforting Soda by telling him Steve just needed to let it blow over," Two-Bit swallowed, "I didn't really have the heart to tell him that Steve probably won't let this go."

Darry nodded, "I think you're right about that one."

"I think their friendship really is over."

"I can say you'll probably win that bet."

"I think deep down Soda knows it too, but it's not really hitting him yet, you know?"

"I think Soda may have to quit his job, the more I think about it," Darry said.

"Really?"

"Two-Bit, think about it, Steve isn't just going to ignore him. He's going to hurt him however he can, physically or verbally or whatever," Darry explained.

"That's going to crush him," Two-Bit said, "But I think you're right. Steve will make his life hell there."

"Do you remember a couple years ago when that one greaser came out gay? I don't remember his name, but he was kicked out by his dad and some other greasers began harassing him and giving him a really tough time and he just eventually left. He disappeared from town."

"I remember that. I didn't think much of it, since it wasn't that personal to me. I guess a kid getting kicked out of his home wasn't a rare story on our side of town," Two-Bit said.

"No, but I will be damned if any of that other stuff happens to Soda. And I will be damned if Steve causes it."

Later that day, Ponyboy and Johnny were in the backyard tossing the football back and forth. Darry talked to Pony a little more about Soda's news, letting him know it was their responsibility to help Soda tell the rest of the gang. They all had to hear it from the Curtis family, not from Steve or anyone else. Pony didn't have the greatest relationship with Steve already, but now he hated him. He was mad about what he had done, and could eventually do, to Soda. He didn't understand how being gay could destroy their friendship. It made no sense to Ponyboy.

"Hey Johnny," Pony squeezed the football, trying to find the words that were about to spill out of his mouth.

"Yeah?"

"I need to talk to you about something," Pony threw the football towards his best friend.

"Okay, what's going on?" Johnny asked.

Pony held his breath, not realizing how hard this was going to be to say, even to just Johnny Cade. "Well, you were over last night, so you know about Soda and Steve. They aren't getting along. Steve's pretty mad at Soda. Things didn't go good at the drag race with them last night."

"Well yeah," Johnny said to the obvious statement, "Is Steve still not talking to him?"

"No. But we found out what was going on this morning," Pony said.

"Must be something pretty bad," Johnny said, "They've never fought like this. I can't even think of what Soda could do to piss Steve off so bad, or anyone for that matter."

Pony swallowed, "Look, this is hard to say. I don't even know why it's hard, but it is. I just hope you don't react bad, because I need you. Soda needs us."

Johnny looked at Pony, unsure if he should be nervous too, "I'll be here for you Pony, of course. You can tell me."

Pony walked closer to Johnny. He kept thinking people were around, listening. This wasn't exactly news people would ignore once it got around. Pony couldn't kid himself, he already figured Steve was telling people. There was definitely talk going around already. "Soda's...changed. A lot."

"Changed?" Johnny asked, waiting for the details.

Two-Bit had left the Curtis house to find Dally. He was nervous how much the talk was already going around, hoping he could tell Dally before he heard it elsewhere. The worst would be if Dally had heard it from Steve and got a twisted version of everything. Two-Bit would need to fix that. He found Dally at the stables where Buck kept his horses.

"Hey Dal, doing some riding today?" Two-Bit asked.

Dally shook his head, "I did some riding last night. Hurt my leg a little, so I'm taking it easy today. Buck's giving me $100 to get them cleaned up."

"Damn that's nice. Sorry you hurt your leg," Two-Bit said.

"It's cool. It was a fun night."

"Good, good," Two-Bit nodded. He turned to each side, looking around to make sure they weren't surrounded by anyone. Although, Two-Bit had caught a couple people look at him while he was looking for Dally. Everyone knew who Soda hung around, and Two-Bit could only assume people wanted to ask him if the rumors were true. "I need to talk to you Dal."

"What about?" Dally asked. He walked up to the gate as he lit up a cigarette.

"It's about Soda."

Dally looked at Two-Bit, "It's true isn't it?"

Two-Bit's eyes slightly widened, "What?"

"He's into guys now?" Dally asked letting smoke flow out his mouth, "He kissed Steve and got beat for it."

"What...where did you hear all of this?" Two-Bit asked feeling his heart drop.

"People talk Two-Bit," Dally flicked his ashes towards the ground, "And I think it's obvious who talked about it first."

Two-Bit sighed, "Well, it is true. Soda...he's just gone through some things. He thought...Steve would be more understanding, but he wasn't. He's pretty broken up about it."

Dally just shrugged.

"What?"

"I don't know," Dally said peering out at the horses.

"You don't know how you feel about it?"

"No Two-Bit. The last time someone came out as gay, they got some pretty bad shit out of it. I was part of that. I didn't beat the kid, but I sure gave him a hard time when he was out in public," Dally admitted, "Steve was part of it too. I mean...that's how life is. You just...can't be like that. I don't know."

Two-Bit nodded, "I think deep down we all thought things...none of us accepted it if we were all to be honest with ourselves. But this is different Dally. This is our friend and he needs us. Steve hurt him over it, and I'll be damned if anyone else does."

Dally thought for a minute before responding, "I'm not looking to go hurt Soda, okay? That's not what I'm saying. And if anyone hurts Soda, I'll be right there knocking their teeth in. It's just..."

"You're not comfortable being around him?" Two-Bit asked, trying to fill in the sentence for Dally.

"I guess. It's an adjustment that's for sure."

"Look Dal, I get it, alright? I wasn't expecting you to jump in and be all good about it. It's going to be an adjustment for all of us."

"I know, I know," Dally shook his head, "Look, if I don't come by for awhile, just tell Soda I don't hate him or nothing, alright?"

"I will Dally."

Ponyboy slowly nodded, "He's...He's gay...now."

"Huh?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah, he told us this morning."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really. He had been feeling this way for awhile now, but mainly towards Steve. He tried telling him and Steve...well...he reacted as you could probably imagine."

"Yeah...he seems...pretty mad about it," Johnny went on as his mind wandered.

"He hates Soda. He...he kissed Steve," Pony ran a hand through his hair, "That's why Steve hit him."

Johnny swallowed hard, "That's not fair."

"No, it isn't," Pony said in a harsh tone.

"How do you feel about it?"

"I hate him," Pony simply answered.

"Soda?"

"No, of course not!" Pony said, "I don't care who Soda is, I will always love him. It's Steve. I hate him. One change about Soda and Steve is done with him. That's bullshit!"

"Pony sit down," Johnny said walking to the porch. Pony listened and took a seat on the porch steps, Johnny standing over him. "You might have to let the anger go, okay? I know it's hard, because I agree that what Steve is doing is totally fucked up. Soda needs you though. He won't be able to stand you just being mad at Steve, because then he'll blame himself for causing it all. We just need to be here for Soda, because honestly...things could get pretty ugly."

That night the Curtis brothers, Two-Bit and Johnny sat at the table for dinner. It was a quiet dinner. Soda was exhausted from the long day. He was still on edge of what could be going on around town without him being able to defend himself, but Darry and Two-Bit weren't letting him go out. They all knew what could happen to Soda. Being gay just wasn't an acceptable thing around town. No one knew if it would ever change, but for now it is what it is, and the gang knew they'd have to figure it out as they went along.

"Darry?" Soda finally spoke up.

"Yeah little buddy?"

"How long do I have to stay home and hide?" Soda asked.

Darry looked at Two-Bit, unsure of a definite answer, "It's hard to say. Two-Bit might have to see what's going on around town, what's being said. I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I know," Soda nodded.

"If you feel cooped up, I can always go out with you so you aren't alone," Two-Bit offered.

"Thanks," Soda said.

"But I do agree with Darry, we'll give it a few days first, alright? I'll keep you company here."

"I appreciate it Two-Bit," Soda said, "Really."

"So, what happens tomorrow?" Ponyboy asked.

The next day was a long day for all of the greasers. Darry had to work, and he told his little brothers to both stay home for the day. After Two-Bit relaying that Dally was already hearing people talk, he didn't want to risk his brothers being out in public. Darry had to spend all day at work worrying about if anything could be going on at his house. Thankfully Two-Bit was hanging around to keep an eye on things.

"I'm sorry you guys," Soda said out loud from the couch.

"For what?" Pony asked.

"You guys are stuck here because of me," Soda said looking between Two-Bit and Pony, "You guys could be out doing whatever, but because of me..."

"Stop it Sodapop," Pony said, "I don't care. I don't want you to hide who you are for the rest of your life. If I have to spend time at home for you to be happy, it's worth it. That's all I want is for you to be happy."

Soda let out a weak smile, "Thanks buddy."

"We can have plenty of fun here," Two-Bit announced, "The gang always knew how to have fun here. We still can."

"Yeah, that's true I guess," Soda sighed, "Is Dally ever coming over again?"

"Yeah he will," Two-Bit nodded, "I told you he may just need a little time."

"I can't have two friends never talk to me again."

"Hey Soda, it's not like that," Two-Bit said, "Dal will come by. If he doesn't soon enough, I'll make him."

"Want to play cards?" Pony asked trying to change the subject.

Soda slowly shook his head, "I think I want to go lay down and take a nap."

As Soda went upstairs, Pony looked up at Two-Bit with concern. "Don't worry kid. He'll be okay. Why don't you go make us some chocolate cake?"

Pony rolled his eyes, "And you're going to sit and watch?"

"No doofus, I'm going to sit with your brother," Two-Bit said as he turned towards the stairs. Two-Bit walked into Soda's bedroom, seeing him lay on the bed with his back towards the door. "Hey buddy."

"Hi," Soda said taking a deep breath, he had obviously been starting to cry.

Two-Bit sat down on the bed and placed a hand on Soda's back. "Soda, it will be okay. You just need us, fuck everyone else."

"I just feel like..." Soda began with a shaky voice, "I'm ruining everyone's lives with this. Pony has to sit at home. You're staying here to keep an eye on us. Darry has to worry. Steve hates my guts. Dally is uncomfortable with me. Pony said it's worth it if I'm happy, but I'm not. I'm completely miserable."

"Soda, look at me," Two-Bit said, "Please."

Reluctantly, Soda slowly sat up and turned to face Two-Bit, tears staining his cheeks.

"I know you don't feel happy now. There was going to be a rough patch at first, but we are all willing to go through that with you. We all love you buddy. If we didn't think it was worth it, we wouldn't be here."

Soda nodded, slowly leaning into Two-Bit. "Thanks Two-Bit, for everything. I don't know where I'd be without you since...golly everything only happened yesterday, huh?"

Two-Bit put his arms around Soda, pulling him close, "Just hang in there for us, alright?"