Chapter 10: Darry

Darry was at the stove cooking when he heard the door open, glancing over expectantly.

He tensed a little when he saw Soda walk in, Dally coming in behind him, a boy wrapped in blankets sleeping in his arms.

Darry's eyes flickered a little when he saw it was Two-Bit.

Soda hurried into the kitchen to his brother. "Darry, Darry, did you hear?!"

Darry turned, pursing his lips, trying to look concerned for his brother. "What's the matter, Soda?"

Soda frowned with big eyes as Dally walked in, Two-Bit asleep soundly in his arms.

"Some Soc jumped Two-Bit at the lake; they threw him into the water and he almost drowned! Now he's got a concussion and he's sick!" Soda exclaimed with a frown.

Darry tensed a little, glancing at Two-Bit, quiet a minute. "He okay?"

"Well, he's pretty sick, Dar. Can you make him some soup quick?"

"Sure." Darry swallowed, turning back to the stove, grabbing a can of soup from the cupboards.

"The Soc split his head clean open, Dar," Darry heard Tim say, who he hadn't even seen come in. "It was bleeding everywheres."

"Yeah; we're gonna kill them Socies at the rumble next week," Dally growled softly.

Darry opened the can of soup with the can opener, not looking at them, offering a nod.

Hearing them talk about Two-Bit getting sick and hurt started to make him a little guilty.

He didn't mean to hurt Two-Bit, not that badly; he jus' wanted to scare him.

But a concussion? Sick?

He suddenly wondered if this were a huge mistake, treating Two-Bit like this.

Darry remembered slamming Two-Bit's head into the rocks, twice, and figured that must be what caused the concussion. And the heavy bleeding.

Was he being too hard on the guy? They had been friends since they were kids.

Two-Bit was like a brother, at least he used to be before this all happened. But Darry had just gotten so frustrated with Two-Bit; didn't he know how much Darry wanted him looking out for his little brother?

After what had happened with the death of Johnny, Darry wanted someone to be looking out for Ponyboy all the time, to make sure he was alright.

Other than Soda, Two-Bit was the one Ponyboy's closest to.

And looking out for Pony means looking out for him.

And Darry really was sick of Two-Bit's drinking. He needs to learn to become more responsible.

Two-Bit's been drinking since he was fifteen; it was about time he laid back some.

He shouldn't always be drunk when he's hanging out with Darry's kid-brother. Didn't Two-Bit realise that?

And the guy's still a junior in high school; Two-Bit should step it up and pass his classes already.

He was really starting to get worried that Two-Bit's lack of responsibility was rubbing off on Ponyboy; the boy was struggling to pass his grades lately and he seemed to have a lack of caring for even passing school.

Besides, wasn't it time Pony started hanging out with some new friends?

Like his new friend, Mark. Though Mark wasn't absolutely the best choice for a friend, at least it was someone new and different.

Now Darry remembered why he told Two-Bit to stay away; he was tired of his lack of responsibility and wanted a better influence for both of his brothers.

Maybe he was taking it a bit too far but he could care less at this point. 'Sides, Two-Bit kinda deserved it.

"Can't believe the Soc that did this to him," Tim growled lowly. "Leavin' Two behind to drown like that." He swore.

So he told them a Soc did it, huh….? Darry pondered to himself, shaking his head a little. At least he didn't rat me out…

"Darry," Came Soda's soft, frowning voice. "Two-Bit coulda drowned. What if Dally and Tim hadn't found him in time? Them Socs woulda gotten away with it….."

Darry took in a breath, telling himself to relax and roll with it. "That wouldn't have happened. We wouldn't let 'em."

In Dally's arms, a sleeping Two-Bit stirred, nuzzling his head closer into Dally's shoulder.

The boys turned and watched him with concerned looks.

Two-Bit's mouth hung open a little and he still shivered in Dally's arms, looking so little and peaceful.

From the living room, Ponyboy walked in, his eyes widening. "Is that Two-Bit?" He hurried over to see, gaping.

Darry almost growled at his brother's reaction, watching him go next to Two-Bit with narrowed eyes, turning away to stir the soup, scowling down at it.

"What happened to him, is he okay?!" Pony questioned in a worried voice, peering at his friend, completely forgetting about the fight he had with his friend just yesterday.

"He's okay, Pony;" Dally spoke lowly. "He's sick, now keep your voice down."

"But, but, what happened?" Pony frowned with big eyes, gaping, wanting to know what had happened.

Darry scowled at his soup as the boys explained, angrily grabbing a bowl from the cupboard, stirring Two-Bit's soup which he didn't know why he was even making it for the d*** kid.

From behind him, Dally grunted a little. "He's gettin' heavy man; Tim, can ya take him?" He didn't even wait for Tim to answer, already gently placing Two-Bit in the hood's arms.

Two-Bit frowned at the movement and moved his head a little, trying to nuzzle into Tim's shoulder.

Dally stretched out his sore arms, running a hand through his hair.

Soda frowned, cupping a gentle hand at the back of Two's head. "Jesus. That's a big bump, man." He shook his head, feeling bad for his friend.

"Yeah, we should really get back at them Socs. Why was he alone, anyhows?" Tim huffed.

At the stove, Darry nearly growled and angrily filled the bowl with some soup, shoving it at the boys. "Here's his d*** soup."

Dallas took it and Soda took a step near the doorframe. "'Kay, let's get him home now."

The boys started to walk out.

"Soda, you stay. You too, Ponyboy. Supper's almost ready." Darry hollered with a huff, not wanting them around the red head any longer.

"Oh. Okay Dar," Soda said softly, turning back. He gave Dally and Tim a hard look.

"Y'all make sure he gets home alright, okay? Take care of him. Dally?"

Dallas nodded with narrowed eyes, glancing once at Tim with the injured boy in his arms. "'Course, Soda. See ya round, man."

Soda nodded and watched Tim and Dallas walk out.

"Will Two-Bit be okay, Darry?" Pony asked his brother softly.

Darry licked his lips, huffing to himself. "Of course he will be, Pony….."

But what he was really saying to himself was, "I hope I never gotta deal with that D*** boy again…..."

A/N: I'm Sorry for anyone who hates Darry right now... :/