Chapter 29: Fighting Ain't The Solution
The following morning, as Two-Bit opened his eyes and groggily sat up, his body felt sore all over and he scowled a little, cussing out Riff in his head. He stretched, with a yawn.
He then remembered the rumble, if you can call it a rumble, was today and he was not looking forward to it. He didn't think his friends should be fighting over him, hell no. That wasn't right at all.
'Sides, having the gangs fight it out didn't really seem like it was going to solve anything, at least that's what Two-Bit thought.
He got up and got dressed, heading over to Riff's to have breakfast. He frowned a little as he walked in, not having the will to smile much anymore, thanks to his never-ending sadness.
When he walked in he heard Riff's voice, looking over to see he was pushing Dermot to the table, a hand at his collar.
"Rrrrr, get off me!" Dermot growled and pulled away, whipping around with a glare, fists balled. Riff smirked happily at him and gave a playful shrug, chuckling.
Two-Bit raised a brow, wondering why Dermot snapped like that, usually he doesn't say anything. Not that Two-Bit didn't want him to defend himself; the guy really needed it actually.
Two-Bit walked over, taking a seat next to his friends, Dermot smiling at him. "Hey there ya are, Two-Bit. How ya doin'?"
Two-Bit eyed the bowl of cereal that was in front of him and the small plate of fruit. "I'm alright."
"You don't look alright." Dermot frowned softly at him. "You-you feelin' okay?"
Two-Bit swirled the spoon around in the milk of the cereal, staring at his food dully, not bothering to eat any. "Yeah, I'm fine." He said lowly. He was thinking about his friends and last night.
"You gonna eat that?" Christian pointed to Two-Bit's mini donut on his plate.
"Take it." Two-Bit shrugged. Christian took it happily.
"Two-Bit, you know you gotta eat. The doctors said you have to eat." Dermot frowned at him.
"I'm jus' not that hungry." Two-Bit shrugged at him.
Dermot opened his mouth to speak but Riff butted himself in-between him and Two-Bit, shoving Dermot aside. "Hey!"
"I can help ya out buddy!" Riff grinned at Two-Bit, grabbing the spoon of cereal and putting it into Two-Bit's mouth.
Two-Bit flinched and sputtered a little, pushing him away gently with a hand. "H-Hey, Riff, quit it, man."
Riff blinked, putting down the spoon, shrugging. "Jus' tryin' to help. So what do you want to talk about buddy? I know a lot about-"
"Uh Riff, Two-Bit and I were having a conversation." Dermot interrupted, speaking calmly, giving Riff a look.
Riff slowly turned to face him, looking cross. "Dermot, why don't you go get your violin?" He spoke, sounding like he was trying to hide his anger.
Dermot scoffed and got to his feet. "Wh-What? Seriously?" He glared.
"I said now, mister, now get your sorry a** over there and get your violin." Riff almost spat at him.
Two-Bit watched with a frown, wide-eyed, swallowing.
Dermot frowned at Riff with a cold look but went off quietly. Two-Bit could almost feel their anger in the room.
Riff turned back to him when Dermot was out of sight. "So. The big rumble's today. You excited?"
Two-Bit shrugged, looking back down at his cereal. "I dunno. Not really. I-I jus' don't like this whole fightin' idea. Wh-what if someone gets hurt?"
Riff laughed and put a hearty arm around Two-Bit's shoulders, shaking him around. "Ah don't worry about it. It's going to be great. 'Sides, we Flames are gonna win. Ya got nothin' to worry about. Trust me."
When it was getting near time to start gettin' ready to leave for the rumble, Riff finally allowed Dermot to stop playing his violin.
"Okay boys, let's get ready to go now. Hope y'all are psyched for this fight." He chuckled a little. Two-Bit watched them with a soft frown, swallowing softly, looking down at his feet.
When Dermot went over to talk to Christian near the door, Riff came over, tapping Dermot on the shoulder, pulling him aside. Two-Bit's eyebrows furrowed, watching.
"Dermot," Riff looked Dermot in the eye, being serious. "Hate to break it to ya buddy, but uh, you're not going to be a part of this fight."
"Wh-What?" Dermot's eyes went narrow. "Why not? I'm gonna be a part of that fight." He insisted.
Riff shook his head no. "I can't risk you getting hurt, Dermot. I ain't gonna let you fight."
Dermot seemed to scoff and started walking away. "I'm goin' to that fight, you ain't gonna stop me."
Riff's eyebrows furrowed and he grabbed Dermot's arm. "Oh yes I can."
Dermot glared at him, pulling his arm free. "Let go of me." He snapped quietly. He turned away but Riff grabbed him again, wrapping his arms around him with a growl.
Dermot growled and started thrashing, eyes going narrowed. "Get off of me!" He elbowed Riff in the stomach but Riff didn't let go of him, huffing.
Dermot growled softly and backed up into a wall, slamming Riff into it, thrashing his body to get Riff to let go. "I'm going to that fight!"
Riff was growling and he wrapped an arm around Dermot's throat, choking him, keeping his grip tight. "Don't you get it?! I'm tryin' to protect you from getting hurt!" He pretty much shouted into Dermot's face.
Dermot was coughing, prying at Riff's hands around his throat, looking pained. Riff started shoving him down to his knees, taking advantage of him, shoving him down onto his stomach.
Two-Bit was watching with wide eyes and noticed that pretty much everybody was watching by now, keeping quiet.
Riff was starting to tie up Dermot on the floor, looking mean while Dermot thrashed and kicked, squirming around. "Get off me! I'm goin'!"
Riff just sat on him, tying his hands together behind his back. Dermot kicked with his legs, trying to roll to his side, growling. "Get off me, lemme go! F***! Gah!"
"Hush Dermot," Riff snapped at him, tightening the ropes as he tied them, hogtying Dermot on the floor. Dermot swore at him, continuing to struggle, looking mad.
Two-Bit watched tensely; this was the first time he had ever seen Dermot put up a struggle when getting tied up. It wasn't fun to watch.
Riff was finishing off the ropes with a huff, bending down by Dermot's head, his back to Two-Bit and the gang.
Two-Bit frowned, unable to see Riff's or Dermot's face.
"Let me go!" Dermot growled, struggling, rolling to his side. Riff slapped him hard, kneeling down beside his head. "I said hush. You ain't goin'. I can't let you get hurt."
"Why do you care?" Dermot snapped with a growl and spat up into Riff's face with a glare.
Riff snarled and wiped the spit away, gagging Dermot forcefully, tying the cloth behind his head. Dermot growled out, eyes narrowed, breathing heavily through his nose. Riff patted his cheek softly.
"I ain't letting you get hurt under my care." Riff whispered softly, softening, looking over all of the ropes, petting Dermot's hair softly.
"Mmmmph rrrrr…" Dermot growled at him, flinching, not looking at him.
"This will keep you safe, buddy." Riff whispered and slowly leaned down, gently kissing Dermot's forehead, patting his cheek as he stood.
Unable to see their faces, Two-Bit hadn't seen.
Riff walked towards the door, huffing. "Now let's go to that fight."
Two-Bit frowned, swallowing. "Wait, you're just going to leave him? All tied up like that?" He gestured to Dermot who growled softly, pulling at the ropes.
"Well of course." Riff smirked, opening the door. "He'll be just fine. He'll be right there when we get back now come on, we have a fight to get to….." He sing-songed.
Christian and the other boys walked out but Two-Bit didn't move, frowning, looking over at Dermot, not wanting to leave him alone like that.
Dermot rolled over to his stomach with a muffled growl, looking tired as he struggled, breathing heavily, eyebrows furrowed.
"He'll be fine, Two-Bit, now just come on." Riff watched him with a grin.
Two-Bit swallowed hard but slowly turned and walked out after a minute.
"Thatta boy." Riff smiled at him, walking out after him.
Two-Bit frowned as he walked out with Riff and the others, shaking his head. He hadn't liked what Riff had done back there and he had a bad feeling about what was going to happen next.
Riff led his gang downtown with a merry grin, looking pleased. Two-Bit walked beside Christian, looking glum. Christian talked to him, trying to cheer him up. It wasn't working.
Two-Bit just kept walking, staring at his feet as he walked, looking up when they arrived. Abbey's Alley wasn't actually an alley at all, but instead a basketball court behind some old buildings. They were the first ones there, early.
"'Kay boys, we're here!" Riff's loud, happy voice called out. "Might I recommend doing some stretching beforehand? Always helps in a good fight." He smirked, making his way over to Two-Bit, roughly slapping a hand onto his shoulder.
"Two-Bit, buddy, join me, over here, this way, with me…." Riff pushed him along with a grin. Two-Bit flinched a little and eyed him a little suspiciously, walking beside him. "What is it, Riff?" He asked sort of tiredly.
"Oh, I jus' wanted to ya know, talk with ya, bond some, chat with an old friend." Riff's eyes were bright, his smile wide. Two-Bit eyed him, starting to think Riff was getting more and more creepier by the minute.
"O-Okay." Two shrugged as they walked past the pole of the basketball hoop. "Talk about what?"
"Anything, I guess. I dunno…maybe how much I'm going to enjoy this rumble. And maybe how much you're going to enjoy watching this rumble….."
Two-Bit blinked at him, eyebrows furrowed, when Riff suddenly slammed his fist into Two-Bit's stomach.
Two-Bit coughed with a yelp and doubled over, the wind knocked out of him, holding his stomach. "R-Riff, wh-"
Riff kicked him down, knocking him down onto his back. Stunned, Two-Bit shook his head in a daze, flinching when Riff grabbed him by his arms, starting to drag him across the ground.
Two-Bit frowned with big eyes, squirming a little but Riff's grip was strong and he didn't stop. "Ri-Riff, what are you doing?" He almost gasped out, still catching his breath.
Riff was dragging him over to the basketball hoop with a huff, looking dangerous almost, not answering.
He picked Two-Bit up and shoved him up against the pole of the hoop, pulling his arms behind his back.
"H-Hey!" Two-Bit pulled lightly, confused and startled. "Ri-Riff!" He felt rope around his wrists and he frowned as he tried to pull away but Riff yanked him back, tying his limbs to the pole. "What are you doing?" Two-Bit huffed at him.
"Simple. You ain't participating in the fight either." Riff just shrugged, his cocky voice floating into Two-Bit's ears. He finished tying off the ropes.
Two-Bit pulled a little, eyebrows furrowed. He hadn't planned on being in the fight anyways, but he didn't see a need for this. "Wh-Why?" He tried to pull himself free and Riff smacked him across the face.
"Ow!" He yelped, shaking his head, wide-eyed.
Riff shrugged with a satisfied smirk. "I dunno. 'Cause I wanna. Ain't no harm done. You'll see. 'Sides, you're gonna watch us win." He happily patted Two-Bit's cheek.
Two-Bit flinched a little, his lips curled up in slight disgust, tense, watching as Riff got out a roll of duct tape and ripped off a strip. His eyes widened and he tried to protest but Riff patted it down over his mouth before he could. Two-Bit frowned at him, murmuring softly under the tape.
Riff gave his casual shrug with his happy smile. "You're fine. Don't worry, I'll kick those sorry a**** of your friends for you, all is well." He patted Two-Bit's cheek again softly before he walked away.
Two-Bit watched him walk off with a frown, gently pulling at the rope that kept him tied to the pole. The pole was cold, since there was snow on the ground now, sending a chill up Two-Bit's spine.
He frowned, stuck standing there, watching Riff go over and talk to the boys, looking like he was trying to encourage them about the fight.
Two-Bit sighed, eyes cloudy, frowning, wondering when he was going to be able to escape all this turmoil and hardship, not knowing how much more he could take, of any of this.
He hated being depressed, not liking the way anything was going, with Riff or with anything ever since he had tried to jump off that cliff.
It wasn't a few minutes later that the gang arrived. Two-Bit slowly raised his head, blinking at them expectantly, keeping still since there wasn't much else he could do.
When the gang walked up and saw Two-Bit tied to the pole, at first they became scared, then angry. Their eyes went to Riff, fists balling.
Darry nudged Ponyboy gently, who glanced at him and then nodded, jogging off to the sides of the court, coming over to Two-Bit while the others lined up with Riff's gang, squaring off.
"Two-Bit!" Pony frowned at him, ripping the duct tape off his mouth, looking worried. "Lemme get these off ya."
"No." Two-Bit's head was lowered, looking almost shamed. "Jus' leave 'em."
"What? Why?" Pony frowned, letting go of the ropes, raising a brow at him.
Two-Bit shrugged a little. "I dunno. I don't even care."
"But you're all tied up to a pole!" Pony protested with a frown, eyebrows furrowed. "It was that awful Riff guy that did this to you, huh?" He growled softly.
Two-Bit didn't answer but instead looked over at the gangs squaring off. Pony turned too, adjusting the stocking cap he wore on his head.
The gang was facing off with Riff's, eyeing each other, glaring. Dally, Steve and Tim looked especially angry and itching to start fighting already.
Darry, who was in the middle, glared at Riff, who stood in the middle of his gang, respectively. They were exact in numbers, six against six.
"This ends today." Darry pointed a finger, eyes narrowed, looking directly at Riff. "We are sick and tired of you mistreating our friend. And we are bringing him home where he belongs, now."
"He ain't goin' nowhere," Came Riff's objection. "The only ones goin' anywhere are your sorry a**** bein' kicked outta this town." His fists were balled.
Two-Bit was watching with stormy eyes, swallowing hard. He eyed everyone as they stood, stanced and ready to fight.
"You ain't fightin' Pony?" Two-Bit asked softly, glancing at his friend.
Pony glanced at him, slowly shaking his head no. "No. Darry don't want me getting hurt."
Two-Bit thought about Dermot, how Riff had said the same thing to him.
The fight had started and there was shouting and hollering, punches being thrown everywhere, boys tackling each other down, bodies hitting the hard concrete.
Two-Bit watched as Tim and Dallas took on Riff together, throwing him down roughly into the snow, looking like they were both beating the absolute sh** outta him. Soda was fighting with Matt, Steve was squaring off with Judd, while Darry took on Rami and Jay.
Christian didn't have one designated fighter but he helped out the other boys when they needed it, trying his best not to get pummeled.
Two-Bit's eyes were wide as he watched. The boys were getting the sh** beaten outta each other, both sides, more so the Flames, who didn't seem to have nearly as much fight-power as the Greasers did.
He watched as Soda got thrown down onto the snow, he watched as Christian got slammed onto the concrete by Steve, he watched as Riff kicked Dally square in the face.
Then Two-Bit's breath got caught in his throat and he felt weight in his chest, knowing he couldn't do this anymore.
"Pony,"
Pony turned from watching the fight, looking at him expectantly. "Yeah?"
"Untie me, Pone." Two-Bit's chest was heaving, his eyes getting a little watery.
Pony didn't hesitate and he ripped away the ropes, stepping back when Two-Bit was free. "Is something wrong?" He frowned, looking over his best friend.
Two-Bit turned away to leave. "I can't watch this. This is wrong." He started jogging away, breathing heavily, trying not to cry, his depression pounding at his head. Pony grabbed his arm, green eyes wide.
"I-I'll come with you…..!"
"No thanks, Pony. Stay to make sure no one gets hurt." Two-Bit frowned and didn't wait for an answer before he took off, wiping at his eyes as he ran.
He didn't know quite what to think except this raw, horrible, awful feeling creeped up his chest and just choked him, hurting him. His head pounded awfully with the pain of a headache and his legs pumped with adrenaline as he ran for his apartment, panting, breathing heavily, feeling like he couldn't breathe.
Two-Bit ran into the hotel and up the three flights of stairs, panting, gasping, running into his room, slamming the door shut, leaning up against it, blinking tears away. His whole body shook. He hated these episodes he was having.
He wiped at his tears with balled fists, sniffling, trying to calm himself down.
He leaned against the door, chest heaving, squeezing his eyes shut tightly. Of course he thought about going down the hall and untying Dermot but he suddenly couldn't move, his legs were frozen right in place.
Two-Bit was shaking as he just stood there against the door, crying, soft whimpers escaping his lips. He wiped again at his eyes with his arms, but it didn't do much because the tears didn't really stop.
He took off his winter hat, tossing it aside, leaning his head back against the door, squeezing his eyes shut as tightly as he could, bringing his hands to his head, slowly sliding down to the floor. His whimpers filled the room.
"Why is this so hard? Why Why?"
He sat there, crying, listening to his heavy breathing, his soft, broken whimpers. He could feel when his tears fell onto his jeans.
He hated crying, he really hated it. It made his head hurt and it made him feel embarrassed, defeated.
Eventually, Two-Bit sniffled and got up, finally having calmed down, his crying over. With grey eyes, he went over to his dresser where all his presents and cards from the hospital were, sitting down.
He looked over the gifts he had already opened, lips pursed. Most things had been Mickey related, like Mickey ornaments or Mickey socks, things that Two-Bit really liked and was grateful to receive.
Others were more serious. Soda had given him a small picture frame that contained a picture of him with Soda and his brothers. Everyone was smiling, a young Ponyboy atop of Two-Bit's shoulders, piggy-back style. The frame was marked 'Buddies' at the top.
Ponyboy had given him a blank journal to write in and Darry gave him another picture frame, this one marked saying, 'I'm Sorry.' The picture inside was of him and Darry with their arms around each other, smiling, the day after they had met as kids.
There were still many more gifts to be opened, more than Two-Bit could count. His eyes scanned the gifts before he slowly reached over, picking up one of the cards. He opened the envelope to read 'Get Well Soon.' When he opened the card up, there was also a lot of writing.
Two-Bit,
You are one hell of a guy and clearly, you lost your senses when you nearly went and got yourself killed. What were you thinking?! Why would you ever want to be removed from the world you live in now? Look at your life, you're surrounded by friends, a family, everybody who loves you, who cares about you. I care about you. Don't tell anyone I said that though. And if you woulda died on that cliff, I dunno what I woulda done. Maybe killed myself even. I couldn't lose you after I already lost Johnny and nearly Ponyboy. Two-Bit, I know you're really hurting and I know this is because of us, mainly what Darry did, but please buddy, this is wrong. You aren't meant to be hurting, you can't be depressed. You're the funny guy, the one who loves making people laugh, who cares about everyone, whose always there for someone when they need him. It hurts to see you so broken and lost, it's hurting all of us. When we saw ya crying like that when we first came here, we were all really worried buddy. And when we saw ya fall off the cliff, we-we all thought you had been killed. It nearly broke all of us.
I'm not one for mushy stuff but please Two-Bit, you're one of my best friends. You're going to get better, buddy, I just know it, and I'll do anything to help you be happy again. We all really wish you'd come home, man, please. You just gotta come home, we all want you where you belong. 'Sides, I'm gettin' real sick of this place. Please get better soon and man, you can't cut yourself no mores and you f***** know it! Don't ever cut yourself again, ever. We all care about you too much to let you hurt yourself that way. You're tougher than you think you are Two-Bit, deep, deep down. You need to trust yourself, buddy. Maybe it'll help. I really wish you'd get better so we can all stop worrying about you. But we really do care, honest. Please, just be our friend again. We'll do better next time…..
Dallas.
Two-Bit set the card down, swiping at his eyes with a soft sniffle. There was a lump in his throat and he swallowed, taking in a soft breath. He thought for a long, hard moment.
Frowning, he slowly looked down and pulled back his sleeve. He eyed the scars from his cuts which were healing, but still noticeable.
Two-Bit stared, eyes watering again as he remembered slicing the blade across his skin purposefully, remembering what it had felt like. A whimper that he didn't know was there escaped his lips and he closed his eyes shut tight, pulling his sleeve back up.
He sat there, trying to process his thoughts, breathing in and out shakenly, trying to remain calm without breaking down again.
It wasn't a few minutes later before the door suddenly opened and thirteen bloody and bruised boys walked into Two-Bit's room, who looked up, surprised.
"F****!" Riff growled, shoving Tim into the wall, earning a rough nudge from Dally, who yanked on him.
Two-Bit watched as they all came up to him.
"Two-Bit, where'd ya go man? Why did ya leave the fight?" Riff stepped towards the front, huffing. "We totally kicked their a****."
"Did not, dip-sh**," Dally swore, shoving Riff, nearly knocking him over, Tim elbowing him in the ribs with a smirk.
Two-Bit was staring at Riff who looked awfully terrible, bruised everywhere, his knuckles and face and hair blood red and it looked like one of his teeth might be missing. He assumed Dally and Tim had done the damage and it was a wonder how Riff was even still standing on his own two feet. He looked like he should be in the morgue.
"Yeah, Two-Bit, why'd ya leave?" Soda's quiet voice spoke.
Two-Bit glanced at the rest of them. Luckily, they weren't nearly as bad-looking as Riff, just some scratches and bumps here and there.
"I couldn't watch the fight." He lowered his head as he spoke. "It was too hard for me to watch. Who-who won?"
Riff opened his mouth with a grin but Tim punched him hard, knocking him down to the ground, who rolled to his side, crying out, his hands at his mouth where blood dripped down his chin.
Everyone ignored him, except Tim and Dally, who happily smirked and chuckled, high-fiving.
"Nobody won." Darry almost sighed. "We quit fighting after you left. Though I think it's clear who would've triumphed…." He pointed a finger down to a pained-looking Riff, who struggled to get to his feet, wincing.
Two-Bit watched him with big eyes, wondering if he was going to be alright.
"You're okay though, right?" Soda frowned. "Right, Two-Bit?"
Two-Bit swallowed hard, frowning with stormy eyes. "It's just that, watchin' you guys fight, I-I jus' couldn't do it. A-A fight to determine who I get to stay with, a fight where my friends get hurt, I-I jus'—i-i-it's jus' wrong, I-I, you guys were-"
"Two-Bit, it's okay, we understand," Darry spoke softly, putting a hand out. "You're right. Fighting wasn't the answer, by any means. We're sorry."
Two-Bit's eyes were watery, frowning deeply. "I-I'm the one who should be sorry…." He choked out, turning away to leave, grabbing his Mickey Mouse winter hat.
"W-Wait, where ya goin'?" Darry frowned.
"I need to be alone right now…." Two-Bit mustered out, sniffling softly, closing the door behind him before he could look back again.
His head was over-clustered with emotions, painful emotions, thoughts that wouldn't get out of his head no matter what.
Why couldn't he just find peace again, for himself, his mind and for his friends?
Dermot wandered through the library, grinning when he turned around the corner. "Hey Two-Bit. Whatta you doin' here?" He spoke quietly as he took a seat across from his friend.
Two-Bit lifted his head from his hands with a frown, shaking his head. "Call me crazy, Dermot, but ever since this whole….you know what, changed, ruined my life, I-I actually feel like reading for once….." Two-Bit almost felt embarrassed to say it.
Dermot chuckled softly. "Okay. You're crazy…" He got serious when Two-Bit didn't crack a grin. "Okay, I get it. But hey, this ain't a bad thing, no, this is good, good."
"How is this good?" Two-Bit raised his head, brow raised.
Dermot stood, perking up. "This is good because it can help you find a cure for your depression." He went over to an aisle of books, browsing.
Two-Bit sighed softly with frustration. "Dermot, don't…."
Dermot pulled out a book. "Look, The Facts Of Depression. This should work."
"Dermot, stop-"
"Depression and How to Cure It." Dermot held up another.
"Dermot-"
"Depression and You…"
"Dermot, just stop….!" Two-Bit hissed. "And would you quit saying that damned word already? I hate it."
"Oh. Sorry." Dermot frowned a little, putting the books back, glancing over at his friend.
Two-Bit sat there, lying his face down on his arms, staring off into nowhere, frowning.
"Two-Bit, come here….."
Two-Bit sighed a little and got up, coming over. "What is it?"
He flinched a little when Dermot hugged him tightly. "Uh, what are you doing?"
Dermot showed him a page of an open book. "Step 1: Hug Someone You Care About."
Two-Bit raised a brow and smiled a little without realizing it, slowly pulling away from the hug.
Dermot watched him with glowing eyes, slowly smiling, pointing to the book. "Step 2: Smile."
Two-Bit blinked and his soft smile slowly widened, surprising him.
After the library, the two wandered around town, Dermot's hands stuffed into his pockets, shivering a little from the cold breeze. Patiently, he listened to Two-Bit, who talked beside him softly.
"Wonder if i'll see the gang tonight…..they sure are persistent."
Dermot nodded slowly, expression calm. "That's a good thing though. They don't wanna give up on you."
Two-Bit swallowed, looking ahead with grey eyes. "Well they should. I don't see why they don't just go back home yet."
"'Cause they're waiting for their friend to come with them." Dermot responded lowly. "And I think they're being very good and supportive friends."
"Supportive? Friends?" Two-Bit frowned at him, eyebrows furrowing. "Seems like you're siding more with them than you do with me." He accused.
"What?" Dermot frowned. "I'm not siding with anyone. I'm just pointing it out, Two…."
Two-Bit crossed his arms over his chest, trying to think clearly. "Sure you are." He mumbled. "When are they gonna realise they should just give up?" He sighed.
Dermot glanced at him with a frown, eyes considerate. "Hey. Come with me. I know a great place we can go ice skating." He offered a friendly smile.
Two-Bit shrugged, not really in the mood. "I-I dunno….."
"Jus' do it. Come on…." Dermot grabbed his arm gently, pulling him along.
Two-Bit sighed and raised a brow, but went with him, huffing quietly. Now Dermot was the one being persistent…..
"I-I don't really know about this, Dermot…." Two-Bit started skeptically, carrying a pair of ice stakes over his shoulder. "Ice skating?"
"Well, why not?" Dermot was grinning, leading Two-Bit to a small pond that he often visited. "Why not have some fun?"
Two-Bit frowned. "In case you haven't really noticed, I haven't exactly been having a lot of fun recently."
"Well, now you will." Dermot chirped softly, keeping positive. "But hey, if you wanna jus' talk first, we can." He offered gently. "It's very peaceful out here, nice and quiet."
Two-Bit looked up as they walked up to a frozen pond, blinking silently, thinking of his own lake back home, how often he went there when he was feeling down. "I-I dunno…..what is there to talk about?"
Dermot led him over to a tree, sitting down in the snow, setting his skates down. "Well…..anything you're willing to talk about….I'll listen. I know you got a lot on your mind…." He said quietly.
Two-Bit sat down next to his friend, hugging his knees to his chest, staring off at the lake. "I dunno…..let's jus' sit here awhile I guess….."
Dermot nodded slowly. "Alright. That's okay…." He too looked off at the lake, keeping quiet, lips pursed, thinking.
It was quiet for several minutes, the two friends sitting next to each other, silently.
"I don't think I'll ever be the same again, Dermot….." Two-Bit's soft voice suddenly spoke, almost startling Dermot from the striking silence. "After what happened…..I-I…." His voice trailed off.
"You mean after the cliff incident?" Dermot almost whispered.
Two-Bit frowned at that, swallowing, not answering for a minute. "Yeah. I-I jus' can't stop thinking about what Pony said to me one night in the hospital…"
"What did he say?"
"He said somethin' 'bout me…possibly goin' out and doin it again…."
Dermot was quiet a minute, digesting what his friend just said. "Well…..you're not, right?"
Two-Bit's face scrunched up, almost pained. "N-No no…..I-I dunno, I dunno, I never even wanted to do it in the first place, I-I-I it jus' happened. I didn't wanna do it, I never did, but after hearing that that little girl Chloe died, I jus' lost it, knowing that innocent people out there, innocent happy people are dyin' every day when they don't wanna die but yet people like me who are hurting and suffering, people like me, we-we should be the ones dying, not happy people who didn't do nothin' wrong, why are they the ones dying when people like me could be dying?" He sniffled a little, hugging his knees to his chest tighter. "An-An' then I just went out…..and was going to, but ya know….."
Dermot licked his lips softly. "Two-Bit….." Gently he put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "There's never a good reason for someone to die and it shouldn't be happening, either. No one deserves that. There's nothin' worse than losin' someone you love, hell, it's even bad when you hear other people you don't even know dyin', 'specially when it's young kids or other teens…..but you gotta understand, Two, nobody wants anyone to die, not anybody, 'specially not anybody they care about…..and I know how hard it is for you to be struggling through life like this, feeling hopeless and all but there is hope out there and nobody wants you to be hurting, nobody does." His eyes were wide, his voice soft and caring. He watched Two-Bit's expression as he spoke.
"Two-Bit, there are so many people out in this world who love you, they don't want you to die, they would never want you to die. They don't want you hurt or upset or dying, they love and care about you so much. And you know they do."
Two-Bit's face scrunched up again, shaking his head slowly. "Dermot please…you know good and well about how I feel about this….."
"And I also know you know good and well how you feel about your friends. You know they care, you always have."
"Would you stop it!" Two-Bit snapped softly, looking away with narrowed eyes. "Why do you always assume my life for me?! How about we just sit here quietly again, alright?"
Dermot frowned softly. "Okay. Alright. But it doesn't have to be like this you know. You could talk to me about it, or even better, to them. Get things worked out….." Then Dermot was quiet, watching the lake again.
He shifted a little, rubbing his bare hands together, trying to warm them from the cold, scratching uncomfortably at the collar around his neck, rubbing at his skin softly.
"That thing bother you?" Two-Bit was watching him. "Stuck wearin' that awful thing…..?"
Dermot blinked, swallowing softly, lowering his hand softly. "Um…yeah. Yeah, it sucks."
"Why don't you jus' take it off?" Two-Bit's voice was low. Dermot glanced at him.
"Wish I could." He finally said, looking away. "Ain't that simple."
"I wish you could be happy too, Dermot….." Two-Bit suddenly said softly.
Dermot looked at him with surprise, blinking. Silently, he slowly nodded. "Thanks. Ready to skate now?" He asked after a minute and gave Two-Bit a soft nudge.
Two-Bit hesitated but slowly nodded, adjusting his Mickey Mouse winter hat, scratching at his hair. "Yeah, I guess so."
Dermot smiled faintly, getting up. "Come on…..it'll be great….."
Two-Bit shrugged as they walked down to the lake, putting his skates on. "Maybe."
Dermot smirked softly as he started skating out on the ice, skating a few circles. "Come on slow poke….!"
Two-Bit got his skates on and got out on the ice, sighing a little, not feeling energized or enthused at all, skating slowly.
Dermot skated over to him, spinning around him in a circle. "Well, if you wanna have some fun then you at least gotta try, come on….!" He gave Two-Bit's back a little push, startling him.
"Hey!" Two-Bit nearly fell over, catching his balance, looking back at him.
"Come on, catch me if you can!" Dermot grinned and snatched Two-Bit's hat off his head, skating off hurriedly with it.
"H-Hey!" Two-Bit perked up and almost grinned, skating after him, wanting to get his favorite Mickey Mouse hat with the ears back, chasing after his friend, knowing it was just a game.
He chased after Dermot, spun circles, tried doing some tricks and fell down on his a**, laughing in spite of himself.
Surprisingly, he actually had fun and was enjoying himself. He smiled and laughed at Dermot as they raced across the ice together, goofing off and having fun.
It was the first time Two-Bit had laughed in weeks.
Dermot skated and tried to do a jump, falling on his a**, chuckling, getting back to his feet.
Two-Bit chuckled at him, grinning, shaking his head, watching as his friend attempted to do the jump again.
Smiling, Two-Bit realized how much fun he was actually having. He remembered the last time he had been out skating. It was with Ponyboy.
Two-Bit's smile slowly fell, his eyes flickering, shoulders slumping.
"Come on, Two-Bit, keep up!" Ponyboy laughed as he skated across the ice. Two-Bit was having trouble keeping up. That little kid sure was fast.
"I'm tryin', kid! You ain't exactly slow!" Two-Bit called, laughing, skating after his friend on the frozen lake.
Pony, who was twelve, snickered to himself and kept staking, trying to go even faster, eyebrows furrowed.
Two-Bit couldn't keep up and he just stopped, catching his breath a little. "Jesus kid, do you ever stop?"
Pony saw he had stopped and turned around, skating towards him, stopping a few feet away from him, chuckling with a smirk. "Only to look back for your sorry rear end."
Two-Bit laughed, smirking. "Boy, now that's some real sass right there, my friend. You get that sass from your mother?"
Ponyboy shook his head with a smirk, huffing. Suddenly, there seemed to be a low rumbling from underneath him before a crack splintered sharply through the air and Pony felt the weight under his feet shift.
Pony became as stiff as a statue, not moving an inch, mouth open. "T-Two-Bit! Th-The ice, it's cracking!"
Two-Bit gaped, able to visibly see the small crack in the ice by his friend's foot. His eyes were wide, panicking a little. "I-It's okay! It won't crack, just skate outta there carefully, Pony! You'll be fine!"
Ponyboy swallowed, scared, skating a little, trying to avoid the crack. The sound of cracking came again and Pony squeaked. "Two-Bit, I can't! It's right underneath me!"
"Don't worry, it's okay! I'll come to you!" Two-Bit gulped, eyes wide, worried for his friend, not wanting him to fall in. After all, he was the one who told Pony the ice was safe and that neither one of them would fall in.
Pony shook his head, green eyes wide. "No Two-Bit, don't come closer or you'll jus' fall in, too!"
Two-Bit shook his head, already skating towards him carefully, an arm extended out. "I won't if we're each careful! Now, jus' stay calm Pony, I'm gonna get you outta there…."
Carefully, he skated smoothly across the ice, nearing his friend, who anticipated with worry, not taking his eyes off his approaching friend.
Suddenly there was a loud, shattering crack and the ice underneath Pony suddenly broke, caving in.
"Ponyboy!" Two-Bit watched as Pony fell into the freezing cold water. Gasping, he rushed over.
Pony sputtered and flailed in the water, coughing, grabbing onto the edges of the ice, immediately freezing from the stinging coldness of the water. "T-Two-Bit!"
The sixteen year-old rushed over, kneeling down near the hole, grabbing onto Pony's arm, pulling, his breathing hitched and frightened. "I got you, Pony, I got you!
He pulled on his friend's arms, heaving him out of the water, the ice beginning to crack under Two-Bit's weight as well.
Shivering and ice cold, teeth chattering, Ponyboy was pulled out of the water by his friend and suddenly scooped up into his arms, getting carried away.
Drenched, soaked, and hair dripping wet, Pony shivered, teeth chattering, never having felt so cold before.
Two-Bit hurriedly skated away from the hole with Pony in his arms, frowning deeply with scared eyes, swearing under his breath with worry. "I've got you, Pony! It's gonna be okay! Oh, I'm so sorry, Pone!"
Two-Bit skated to the edge of the pond, lying Pony down on the ground, starting to take off his winter jacket, fumbling with the zipper, breathing heavily with worry, gulping and swallowing hard.
He wrapped his own coat around the freezing cold boy, taking off Pony's wet hat and gloves, giving up his own, putting them on Pony's ice cold skin, leaving his own body exposed and bare to the cold.
Ponyboy shivered, clutching the dry jacket closely, getting scooped up again by Two-Bit. "Two-Bit?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Pony!" Two-Bit whimpered out as he jogged off with Pony in his arms, going to get help. "I'm sorry! Don't worry, it's gonna be okay, you're gonna be alright!"
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis were not happy about what had happened and neither was Darry or Soda, especially upset over the fact Pony got sick after it happened. Two-Bit took the blame, guilty and blaming himself, knowing he had let down Darry as a friend.
He had told Darry he could trust him with his brother and that he wasn't going to let anything happen to his best friend.
And Two-Bit had failed him.
Eyes wide as saucers, Two-Bit's life almost flashing before his eyes, he was suddenly falling down to his knees, feeling like he was moving in slow motion, tears suddenly in his eyes, breath getting caught in his throat.
His chest tightened and he landed on his knees, bowing his head down, faint whimpers escaping his lips as tears began to drip down his face.
Dermot stopped skating suddenly when he saw his friend dropping to the ice, frowning, hurriedly skating over and kneeling down, putting a gentle hand on his friend's back in support. "Two-Bit? Two-Bit, what's wrong?"
Two-Bit's voice caught in his throat, he whimpered, swiping at his eyes, crying, face scrunched up tightly.
"I-I-I c-can't-can't do this! I-I miss them too much! I-I want my friends back!" He sobbed, on his knees, shaking, his voice a whimper.
Dermot frowned, swallowing hard, beginning to rub Two-Bit's back in smooth circles. "Oh Two-Bit…..you can have your friends back. You just have to talk to them, buddy. They miss you too."
Two-Bit shook his head, crying into his hands, tears dripping down his face. "N-No, you're wrong. You think I can just go back to them?!" He lifted his head, eyebrows furrowed. "You think I can just give everything up and go back to them, I-I can't!"
"Two-Bit, what if I told you that your friends don't care about any of that? If you were to go to them right now, you know what they would do?" Dermot waited for his friend to respond.
Two-Bit sniffled, rubbing at his eyes with his fists. "Push me away again…."
"Of course not. They would welcome and embrace you as their friend. They would hug you and maybe even cry and be so overjoyed to have you back."
Two-Bit hesitated, swallowing, sniffling, trying to compose himself. "H-How do you know? You don't know them."
"I don't need to." Dermot replied calmly. "Two-Bit, I was there when you went in the hospital. I sat there with your friends for over a week, Two-Bit, just waiting for you to wake up. I was there when you fell off the cliff, I was standing right next to them. Do you know how much they cried Two-Bit?"
Two-Bit was listening through his sniffles, staring at the ice with a deep frown.
"They cried everyday, every single day until you woke up. They were so, so worried about you. They thought they were going to lose you." Dermot's deep voice was soft, talking slowly and calmly.
"They all were right there by your bed the whole time, they never left, unless it was to go get you presents or cards or to eat of course. I watched them Two-Bit, I listened to them and I know how much they care about you. They really want their buddy back. And I know you really want to be back with them again, don't you?"
Two-Bit tried to hold back his whimpers but they still came out, his eyes squeezed shut as he cried. "Of-of course I do…! B-Bu-But I can't, I-I jus-jus' can't do this….." His voice broke and he couldn't go on, hiding his face.
Dermot's comforting hand remained on his friend's shoulder. "I know how hard it is, Two-Bit. I know how hard it can be to adjust to new things, believe me, I know. But you gotta try buddy. All you can do is try. And trust me, you're not going to regret it once you do."
Two-Bit sniffled, wiping furiously at his eyes, eyes downcast. He was quiet for a long minute.
"Th-Thanks Dermot…..that means a lot. You're a big help." He said lowly.
Dermot patted his shoulder softly. "Anytime. And hey, if you said you feel like reading or something like that, don't be afraid to ask Pony about that, okay?"
Two-Bit's lip quivering, in a fit of sniffles, slowly he nodded, trying to quit crying. "O-Okay. Th-Thanks."
"See? Everything's going to be okay. Trust me." Dermot watched him, smiling faintly, trying to encourage his friend. "You feel better now?"
"A-A little." Two-Bit slowly got to his feet, his eyes puffy.
"See? Don't give up, Two-Bit. It'll be alright. Come on, let's skate a little more." Dermot nudged him softly, on his feet, skating off with a soft grin.
Two-Bit weakly smiled and skated after him. He really did feel a little better after Dermot talked to him. He still didn't believe his friend about what he was saying about the gang, but he felt better.
The gang had never talked to him like that before. It felt odd, but comforting.
Though a million thoughts were running through his head, Two-Bit skated some more with his friend, though not quite as enthused as before.
It was still fun to skate with him though, knowing he was with someone who cared about him as a true friend.
Their fun was suddenly cut short however when they heard a yell, turning to look towards the edge of the pond.
There was Riff, stomping towards the pond, hollering Dermot's name, looking cross. "Dermot! Get over here!"
Dermot and Two-Bit stopped, watching him. Two-Bit glanced at Dermot, expecting him to move but he didn't.
Riff was fuming, stomping towards the pond, stepping out onto the ice, not wearing skates. "Dermot, get you're a** o-whoa!" Riff slipped on the ice and landed on his a**, startled. He shook his head and snarled, getting to his feet, trying to slide again.
"Right now, mister, before I-whoa whoa, oof!" Riff slipped again, falling right on his chest, looking dazed.
Dermot frowned a little, looking at Two-Bit. "Guess I better go with him."
"Why?" Two-Bit frowned softly. "You shouldn't have to go with him."
"Well, I have to. See ya later, buddy. Take care of yourself." Dermot said softly, skating off.
Two-Bit watched him as he skated past Riff, sitting down on the ground to take off his skates.
Riff got up and slid himself off the pond, looking like he was yelling at Dermot.
Two-Bit frowned and continued to watch. He felt sorry for his friend, wishing he could help.
Dermot had rose to his feet and now it looked like he was yelling at Riff. He looked angry. Since when did Dermot snap back? It was just like this morning…
Two-Bit watched as Riff's fist rose and nearly punched Dermot in the face but luckily he didn't. He instead pointed a finger into his face with a mean look and then grabbed him by his arm, dragging him off. Dermot didn't look back and Two-Bit was left out on the ice by himself.
He blinked, just standing there for a minute, glancing around him, not quite sure what to do now. Leave it to Riff to kill the fun.
He was prolly just going to take Dermot home and tie him up again, that b******. What is that guy's problem anyways? Two-Bit didn't know.
Eventually, Two-Bit skated off the ice and started for home, deep in thought. He was thinking about what Dermot had said to him and for some reason, he was thinking about it differently, positively...
Maybe Dermot was right. Maybe he should just talk to the gang. Then he could just see how it goes.
It was a start after all.
Two-Bit just hoped it was the start of something good and not something he'd regret for the rest of his life.