The next morning, Darry got it out of Soda on what happened with the Socs the night before.

"There were only two of them. It wasn't even much of a jumping. They came over, one held me down, and one punched me in the face. It was that quick. They jumped up and ran off. Then Two-Bit found me just bawling like a baby."

"Well, when you become gay, you do get more of a feminine side," Dally commented.

Darry almost glared at him until it made Soda laugh a little. "Well, how are you feeling now?"

"A little better. When did Two-Bit leave?" Soda asked.

"Last night. He figured we needed a quiet morning, and then Dally came back," Darry shrugged.

"My company is quieter than his," Dally smirked.

"Can I go over to Two-Bit's?" Soda asked, trying not to sound too eager, but he was ready to talk to Two-Bit some more about what had happened between them.

"Well sure. Are you sure you want to go out?" Darry asked.

"Yeah. Can I just use your truck?"

"That's fine," Darry said. He figured Soda was probably safer driving than walking, and he didn't want to keep him from going out.

"Thanks," Soda said getting up and heading out the door.

"He did realize Two-Bit was probably coming over later, right?" Dally asked as Soda left.

"Yeah, well, Two-Bit's been there for him a lot lately. He might be seeing Two-Bit as Steve now. I don't mind it, as long as he's happy," Darry said.

Soda pulled up Darry's truck to the Mathew's house. He was feeling nervous, but eager to feel that warm feeling he was having around Two-Bit. He wasn't sure if he wanted to consider them something, whatever that something could be. Approaching the front door, Soda brought up his fist and gently knocked. After about a minute, the door opened to Two-Bit in just his boxers.

"Morning sleepyhead," Soda chuckled. Two-Bit rubbed his eyes with a groggy smile. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah sure. My mom and sister are out having some girly shopping spree of some sort that I'd rather sleep through," Two-Bit said as he moved to the side.

Soda walked through the front door laughing, "You're a very supportive son and brother. Why others don't appreciate your hard work more I'll never know."

Two-Bit chuckled, "So what's going on? How's the eye?"

"Oh it's fine," Soda said awkwardly putting his hands in his pockets, "I just wanted to talk some more."

Two-Bit nodded, "Okay."

"I mean, do you regret it now? I got a letter sent to my house and my family. It was practically threatening, and more are bound to come. I'm not stupid, I know it will happen. You talking about experimenting, I mean...if anyone found out, those rumors they were already spreading about you would just be true then. And..."

"Soda, shut up," Two-Bit said, "Look, I just know you really need someone right now and I did what I thought was best to comfort you through this. But no, I don't regret it."

Soda looked up towards the ceilings, "Don't play with my feelings."

"That's not what I meant by all that. I'm not playing with your feelings." Soda was silent for a moment. He didn't know how to take this all in.

"Steve's gone isn't he?" Soda quietly asked.

Two-Bit knew it would hit Soda soon. Soda had mentioned Steve was probably gone, but he could see it was starting to officially hit him. "Soda, I don't want things awkward between us alright? I've wanted to be there for you."

"Nothing's awkward," Soda shook his head, "I promise."

"I know we'll probably have this conversation over and over again, so if you don't want me to do anything anymore."

Soda looked at Two-Bit, "If you wait for me to say what I want for sure, then you're right, we'll have this conversation over and over again."

"So what are you saying?"

Soda shrugged, "I'm saying if things were awkward or something, I wouldn't be here maybe wanting more."

"Wanting more?" Two-Bit asked.

"Maybe," Soda repeated. Two-Bit walked closer and brought Soda's hands into his. He pulled Soda up to him and kissed his lips. This time, he didn't just leave it as one though. Two-Bit let go of Soda's hands and brought them up, grabbing around Soda's face and pulling him into a deeper kiss. Soda welcomed it. He let Two-Bit lead as the kissing became intense. He let his hands explore Two-Bit's exposed torso. Soda felt his heart begin to pound, almost too fast. He brought his hands around Two-Bit's back, tugging at him for more.

There was a knock on the door. It sounded like an impatient, urgent knock. Two-Bit pulled himself away from Soda and tried getting his breathing under control. "Just hold on," he managed to let out, holding a finger up.

Soda sat himself down on the couch, feeling a little lightheaded from the experience. He watched as Two-Bit crossed the house and approached the front door. Another impatient knock came. "Relax, relax, I'm coming." Two-Bit grabbed the doorknob and opened the door. Standing there was Steve. Soda's heart stopped as he dropped to the floor from the couch and slid behind a wall before Steve could see past Two-Bit.

Two-Bit turned slightly and was thankful Soda hid himself.

"Hey Two-Bit," Steve said.

"Hey," Two-Bit tried speaking as normal as possible, "What are you doing here?"

"To talk."

"I don't know if I want to do that with you. No one's happy with you right now, me included."

"Yeah," Steve replied, not seeming to care, "I heard Soda left."

Soda heard the words Steve said, but could tell his tone didn't say he cared one bit. He held the lump in his throat and forced it back down.

"He's home fine," Two-Bit simply said, "I know you know they got a nasty letter at their house. And Socs jumped him."

Steve nodded. Soda didn't see it, but he could tell based off of Steve's silence. All he could manage was a gulp. Steve really didn't care did he? He didn't ask what the Socs did to Soda.

"Anything else?" Two-Bit asked, sounding irritated.

"Is there really going to be a rumble over all of this?"

Two-Bit's eyes went wide and Soda felt the lump push up again. This news was all new to them.

"Where did you hear that?" Two-Bit asked.

"Word got around that Dally was starting trouble," Steve said.

Two-Bit closed his eyes in frustration, "I mean, I don't know. I hadn't heard anything. I mean they did send a nasty letter to Soda's house, and then jump him, and they aren't going to stop there."

"You guys just think they sent that letter."

"Are you saying you had something to do with it?" Two-Bit asked.

"You realize that could have been anyone from any side of town? Being gay isn't accepted here. Hell it's illegal. Dally may not even get people on his side for a rumble, because other greasers won't help a gay guy," Steve said.

"I guess we'll find out, huh?"

Steve shook his head, "I was just hearing about it, so I thought I'd ask. Should put a stop to it, because all it's going to do is separate the greasers."

"I haven't heard anything anyway Steve. What would you even do if there was?"

Steve shrugged, "Plenty of greasers would be against you guys, so that's where I'd be too I suppose."

"Right," Two-Bit nodded disappointingly.

"Is Soda here?"

Two-Bit tried not to make it obvious he gulped, "What makes you think he's here?"

"Darry's truck," Steve said as he helped himself inside the house. Soda kicked himself as he heard that. "So I'm assuming him or Darry are here. But Darry would have been here with you talking to me, not hiding."

"Oh, well..."

Before Two-Bit could stop him, Steve wandered into the house and spotted Soda leaning against the wall. He was frozen. Soda didn't know if he should just stay quiet or beg for mercy.

Steve just simply nodded, "Yeah, I knew it."

"You're an asshole," Two-Bit said walking over, "You didn't stop by. You saw Darry's truck and made an excuse to come here."

"You know, I thought those rumors about you was just the town making shit talk," Steve said as he pointed at Two-Bit, "They were just too crazy, but obviously they're true."

"Steve wait," Soda begged, "They aren't true about Two-Bit."

"Stay the hell away from me," Steve said beginning to walk away.

"Steve, leave him alone!" Two-Bit barked, "He's your best friend!"

"I don't need him as my best friend. He's nothing to me anymore, and that goes for you too!" Steve firmly said pointing at Two-Bit.

"Yeah, real mature Steve," Two-Bit rolled his eyes.

"Guys stop it!" Soda yelled. Two-Bit could see Soda near tears. He was sick of watching Soda cry, but he couldn't just be quiet and let Steve leave without hearing what he wanted to say.

"Will you just let Soda live his life how he wants?"

"Fine Two-Bit!" Steve barked, "He can have fun with his lifestyle of getting beat up and harassed and ran out of town! I'm not going to be a part of it! You might as well leave Tulsa!"

The door slammed shut. Two-Bit hurried over and ran outside. He approached the driver side of Steve's car and banged on the window.

"What?" Steve asked rolling his window down.

"What is wrong with you Steve, huh? Do you not hear yourself when you talk to Soda now? You are destroying him. You..."

"Drop it Two-Bit! Just drop it! If you are becoming his kind, then go do what your type does!" Steve yelled and drove off, nearly running over Two-Bit's foot. Two-Bit just stared off as Steve drove away. He didn't know what to think of Steve anymore. Steve was going to lose all respect from the gang. He's going to lose friends more than Soda will.

Two-Bit heard his front door open and looked up to Soda walking outside, rubbing his eyes. "You see why I can't stay here now?" Soda asked as Two-Bit walked up to him.

"Yes you can Soda. Don't worry about Steve, you hear me? He's lost my respect. I'm done with his shit." Two-Bit pulled Soda into a long hug. "Everything's going to be okay. I will make sure of it."

"And what if it's not? My best friend doesn't even see me as an acquaintance, let alone a human being anymore. My ways may have started Dally on a rumble. Everyone on this side of town thinks I'm a disease."

"And who cares? Who fucking cares!" Two-Bit nearly screamed as he was losing his patience, "Soda, you are you! You're you! You have five friends who are supporting you! Two of them being your own brothers! This is such a big situation, you know that, so you should be considering yourself very lucky to have that much support!"

Soda looked down and slid himself down to the ground in defeat. He didn't want to be yelled at by Two-Bit. Not after what they had just experienced together before Steve showed up. He wished he could just believe all Two-Bit was telling him, but it was difficult.

Two-Bit took a deep breath to calm himself, "Soda, I'm sorry. I don't mean to yell, but I'm sick of you talking about yourself like this."

Soda shook his head, "I wish I could have my best friend back."

Two-Bit sighed, "I know. But Steve...we all know how he is. He's always been this type to not accept things that are so different. Dally even took a few days to process, but he's coming around because it's one of his friends. Steve is taking a long to come around, because you're his best friend and you kissed him...it might just take some time..." Even Two-Bit didn't believe the words he was saying, but he wasn't sure what else to say to Soda.

"No," Soda stood up, "Don't try and make me feel better with lies. I know he won't ever come around. My mistake destroyed our friendship."

"It's not a mistake," Two-Bit said looking down.

Soda sighed, "Either way, our friendship...it's done. Steve is gone."

"Well, at least you know that truth now. I'm not expecting you to just be okay with it, I know you'll have breakdowns and you'll have to revisit this truth again and again. But, at least you know."

Soda let out a heavy sigh, "What about this rumble?"

Two-Bit shrugged, "If the Socs really did send that letter, there would be a scuffle anyway for them coming so far into our side of town. You being gay wouldn't have changed that much."

"I guess."

"But for now, I don't know. I'm not going to worry about it. I kind of think Steve is messing with our heads."

"Maybe."

"Hey," Two-Bit said grabbing Soda by the back of his head, "You have some people on your side. Everything will be okay. I'll be here protecting you, alright?"

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