Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders

Note: Wow! I'm shocked that I'm finally updating. I have another update almost ready to go. I have been super busy and lost my charger to my lap top. I'm very sorry about the delay in this update. Good news is I have ideas for chapter six too. I am hoping to say ahead, but don't hold your breath. I have no idea how long or how many chapter I plan to post with this story. I think I will end when I run out of ideas. (I'm always around kids so my inspiration comes from them)

"Darry Please! I just want you to read one more story." Ponyboy told his brother giving him the best pouty face he could muster. Darry was trying not laugh. Darry refuses to give into any kind of pouting or whining, but he had to admit it was hard since Ponyboy was so damn cute. He had already read his brother three stories and had tons of chores to finish.

"What did I tell you?" Darry questions his brother.

Pony sighed. "You said that you had chores to do and would read more later," Ponyboy answers.

"So what do you think that means?" Darry inquires.

"It means that you are a meanie and won't read me no more stories," Ponyboy cries out trying to make Darry feel guilty.

Darry gives Ponyboy his stern glare causing him to drop his attitude. Darry stands up and heads to the kitchen to start lunch and a load of clothes. Darry wished his brother understood he would much rather spend all his time with him, but he had a long list of stuff that required his attention.

Ponyboy was aggravated with his brother. He knew he was acting selfish, but he did not care. He just wanted Darry to read him one more story. Was that too much to ask? Ponyboy stormes over to Soda who was playing poker with the rest of the gang.

"What's up Ponyboy," Soda smiles at him given Two-Bit a chance to cheat.

"I need you to walk outside with me for a minute. Darry is frustrating me and I can't go outside alone," Ponyboy Spouts off with dramatic hand movements. Sometimes Ponyboys brother swore he was more dramatic than any female they knew, and that's saying a lot.

"Sure thing. Guys I'll be back." Soda tells the guys abandoning his card game for his baby brother. Soda heard Darry stifle a laugh from the kitchen. Leave it to Ponyboy to cause such a fuss over something so trivial. Once on the porch Soda sat on the step beside his overly angry brother. Ponyboys arms were crossed and his face carried a scowl. Soda had a hard time not laughing at his brother, because he just looked so darn cute when he was mad.

"Ugh Darry always frustrates me," Pony rambles using his new favorite word that he learned from Darry. "He just makes me want to scream. "Pony finishes putting his hands on his head and rubbing it as though he was trying to get rid of a headache. Soda laughed to himself at the little things Ponyboy has picked up from his eldest brother.

"I think your being a little dramatic Ponyboy. Darry sat and read three stories to you kiddo. Sometimes we have other things that have to get done. "Soda explains reaching over and messing up Pony's hair. Ponyboy scowls at his brother. He did not want to hear that he was wrong. He hated being wrong! Ponyboy stood up looking around the yard. He needed away to get rid of his frustration.

"Where are you going?" Soda asks as Ponyboy gets off the steps. Ponyboy glances around for a moment.

"I'M going to the fence," he tells his brother matter of fact like before taken off running so his brother could ask any more questions. Ponyboy wanted to run for some reason. When he ran it made him feel less angry and frustrated and that was just what he needed. He ran from fence to fence. Ponyboy drifted off into his own little land while he ran. Soda however was sitting on the step watching in amusement. His brother did some odd things sometimes. Soda tried entertaining the idea of running back and forth and could not find any possible enjoyment in the idea, but he decided if is in a better mood afterwards or tired from running then he fully supported it.

"Hey Soda," Darry greets sitting next to his brother who never noticed he had come outside. Soda shot his brother a smile before both guys went back to watching the baby of the family run is heart out. Ponyboy amazed them both with his speed and endurance.

"Thank he will be a future football star?" Darry asks Soda.

"No. He is not mean enough to play football. He would feel bad tackling another kid. "Soda laughed. Ponyboy played with them, but that was different. He would never want to hurt someone. Ponyboy was not your typical greaser kid.

"That boy is something else. Always doing something or saying something crazy," Darry retorts smiling. Darry knew he was blessed with the two brothers he had. Ponyboy was so caring and considerate. He hates hurting people, though he can be a brat at times. Soda was the best support and help he could have ever ask for. Soda was compassionate and understanding to everyone, and Darry could not even think of what life would be like without either brother.

"Hey Soda have I ever told you how much I love and appreciate you. Thanks for all your help with the brat and helping pay bills, "Darry tells him wrapping his arm around Soda and pulling him into a sideways hug.

"All the time. You know i'm glad we got to stay with you. You did not have to take us. You could have moved on to bigger and better things. I love you. Oh, and I also love the little punk too," Soda tells him. "But please stop frustrating him," Soda teases Darry..

About this time Ponyboy comes over running to them. He was out of breath now, but he looked happy. Darry wondered how running like that seemed to change his mood.

"Darry, I forgive you for frustrating me," Ponyboy tells him giving him a hug. Soda laughs in spite of himself while Darry chuckles. "I guess I'm sorry for giving you attitude too," Ponyboy finishes with a sweet smile. Darry pulls Ponyboy into his lap.

"Soda I think this brat here needs to learn a lesson, "Darry winks at him. Soda smiles and puts his hands over Ponyboy.

"Here comes the tickle monster," he shouts before diving into tickling his baby brother. Pony screams and laughs. He knew there was no escape with Darry holding him. Darry used his free hand to tickle his baby brother as well. Pony screamed for his brothers to stop the attack between laughing. By time the boys let Ponyboy up he was breathing hard and had tears in his eyes from laughing so hard.

"That was no fair. You two cheated," He tells them sticking his tongue out at each of his brothers. Soda put his arms up again like he was going to tickle him again. Ponyboy instantly covered his stomach up as best as he could and shrieked in laugher without out ever being touched.

"No! I give! You won! You didn't cheat!" Pony blurts out trying to hide behind Darry now. Soda puts his hands down slowly.

"I always win. "Soda taunts Ponyboy sticking his tongue out at the youngest Curtis now. Soda had no shame in being silly. You would not always be able to tell Soda was a tough greaser when he was around his younger brother.

"How about we go eat before the food is all gone," Darry suggests getting up moving towards the house knowing that the rest of the guys could easily eat everything in a matter of minutes.

"I'm going to get my food first," Soda yells leaping up whipping past his brothers and booking it to the kitchen. Soda made it to the kitchen and was happy to see Darry had made plenty of food. He had a hot dog shoved in his mouth before the other two even made it to the kitchen.

"Stop shoving food in your mouth. Were you raised in a barn?" Darry gripes playfully at his kid brother. Soda shoves another mouth full in just to bug his brother. Darry fixes Pony and himself a plate before sitting down at the table to eat.

"Darry when I get done eating can I help you fold the laundry?" Ponyboy questions his brother. Out of all the housework that gets done that is his favorite job. Ponyboy loved the smell of the freshly washed clothes.

"I would love the help. Tonight is my shift at the warehouse so it will be just Soda getting you to bed. Now I don't want any funny business about bed got it?" Darry questions his brother who likes to push his bedtime limits when Darry was gone.

"Yes sir," Ponyboy answers with a sigh. He hated when Darry beats him at the bedtime game even when he was not home! Ponyboy sulked as he quickly ate his hot dog. Ponyboy was the simplest person at times when it came to food. He liked everything plain including his hotdogs.

After lunch was done Ponyboy put his plate in the sink and went off to get the clothes from the dryer. He was trying to have it done to surprise his brother. Pony smiled when he saw it was a load of towels. They were easy to fold and put away. So, Pony Pulled the towels out one at a time folding them and putting them in the basket. Now all Darry will have to do is stick them in the cabinet and it's all done. Ponyboy would do that too, but he could not reach.

"What are you doing kiddo?" Darry inquires. Pony just smiled pointing at the basket of towels folded up neatly ready to be put away. "Thank you Ponyboy. You don't know how much you just helped me," Darry tells him giving the kid an affectionate head rub.

"Darry can I play outside?" Ponyboy asks.

"Um… Ask someone go out with you," Darry instructs. Ponyboy refrained from rolling his eyes at his brother knowing it would only cause him problems.

"Ok," He agrees running towards the front room. He was happy to see everyone was at his house, so I should be easy to find someone to join him.

"Johnny will you out and play with me?" Ponyboy asks his friend.

"Yeah. I don't have nothing better to do," he tells him getting up from his spot.

"I'll join you. " Dally says watching Johnny getting ready to go outside. "Besides it gives me something to do than play with a bunch of cheaters. "Dally said throwing some friendly shade at his friends.

"Oh, you're just a sore loser," Steve fires back at Dallas throwing his handful of cards down.

"B etter be looking up Soda's sleeves Buddy," Dallas smirked. Soda put his hand over his heart and gave a look saying how dare you accuse me. Two-Bit hits Soda's sleeve and a king of hearts flew out. Before you knew it, a big wrestling match broke out in the middle of the living room.

Johnny remained off to the side just watching. Ponyboy could not hold back. He wanted in on the wrestling match. "Get off my brother," Pony yells jumping on Steve's back and clinging to his neck trying his best to help his brother. Steve grabbed Pony's arm carefully pulling him off and onto the floor. Ponyboy stood up and tackled Steve. Steve picked the boy up and tossed him on the couch right before Soda jumps onto Steve and he goes down.

"You guys take this outside before you hooligans break something. If it breaks then I'm breaking you," Darry threatens walking into living room. All the guys mumbled retorts, but slowly go up and headed out the door not chancing crossing Darry.

"Hey, Johnny, your it," Soda hollers tagging his friend before taking off. Johnny was taken off guard, but quickly recovered and took off after the gang who caught on to Soda's game. Johnny smiled and set his site on Dallas who was not running or trying to participate. Dallas had no choice but to play along since it was Johnny who was after him. Everyone else would have stayed clear of Dallas.

"Got ya," Johnny calls lunging at Dallas and managing to barely tag him. "Your it," He calls taking off towards the side of the house. Dally looked around and walked around towards the other guys. He was not going to run. Maybe he could play it off as though he was not it. He walked by Two-Bit who thought Johnny was it and touched him.

"Tag. Your it" Dally declares. Two-Bit stared at him before running off. Two-Bit was shocked Dally was playing in their juvenile game. The game lasted for over an hour. Ponyboy being the only one no one could catch. Once the guys where done playing they piled into the living room sprawling out in various places. You would have thought by the way the guys were breathing and laying around they had run a marathon. Well everyone was worn out but Ponyboy who was bugging his brother.

"Darry…Darry…. Darry will you come play with me now? All them are too tired," Pony tries.

"Sorry buddy I really have to get ready for work," Darry tells him. Pony did not like the answer. He crossed his arms and stomped his foot in anger. Darry shoots him a warning look and Ponyboy drops his arms.

"I'm sorry Darry. I won't stomp my foot ever again, "Pony tells his brother knowing he was stepping over the line.

"I forgive you but you better mellow yourself out. How about I go find a clipboard and you can hang with Soda and draw some pictures?'" Darry suggests.

Pony's face lights up. He loved drawing. It was one of his favorite activities. "Yes please. Thank You! Thank you! Thank You! "Pony squeals hugging his brother. Darry smiles at his brother and returns his hug before disappearing into the bedroom to gather drawing supplies,

Darry was back in a matter of minutes. Pony took the stuff and laid down on the floor and begin his drawings exiting reality and venturing off to his own world. Darry finished off house work and getting ready for work while most of the teenagers slept and the youngster was spaced out drawing a picture.

"Soda make sure your brother goes to bed at a decent time. Also make sure the oven is off tonight. Lastly Steve is not allowed to help you cook. Can't afford for the fire to actually burn my house down this time," Darry lectures.

"It was not much of a fire. Besides I put I out as soon as it started," Soda said defending himself but smiling despite himself at the memory.

"I love you two. See you in the morning." Darry tells them as he heads out the door.

As soon as Darry left Soda turned to his brother "Now let's go have some fun," He tells Pony. Pony gets a little nervous at his brothers definition of fun. Sometimes it was way too much.

Soda goes off and comes back with two water guns and paint. Ponyboy watches carefully as Soda pours both guns full of paint.

"Now let's go outside so Darry don't kill us. We are going to have a paint gun fight," Soda explains his eyes lighting up with excitement. Soda led his brother outside. "I'll give you three minutes to run and hide. Then it's on," Soda declared closing his eyes.

Ponyboy wasted no time. He went and his behind the tree in the back yard. He waited patiently until he spotted Soda coming into the back yard. Ponyboy grinned and aimed his gun at his brother. When his brother's back was turned to him he jumped out and started shooting his brother. He watched as streaks of blue covered his brother.

"Ha now I'm going to get you," Soda claimed firing his paint back at his brother. Soda hit and Pony now had blue paint decorating the shoulder of his shirt. Pony took off towards the side of house only looking back to shoot towards his brother. The boys made it around the yard three times before they were out of paint.

"Hey Soda?" Pony questions.

"Yes?" Soda inquires.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Ponyboy asks his brother very seriously.

"You can tell me anything," Soda retorts.

"Well the yesterday at school I hit a kid…. like maybe four times in the face," Ponyboy tells him.

"Now why would you do that? Why did the school not call? Heck Pony you know Darry and I don't tolerate the hitting and fighting," Soda reprimands but not too sternly.

"Well it was not a fight so much. He never had a chance to hit back he was on the ground crying after one hit!" Ponyboy says proudly. Soda was not liking this conversation. Ponyboy was not one to hurt anyone.

"Well why did you hit him?" Soda inquires.

"Well he told me I was a bastard and my parents wanted to die to get away from me. Said they hated me. Then he said you guys would get tired of me and send me a way. I told him to shut up once and we he didn't I shut him up. "Ponyboy said matter of fact like. "And I'm not sorry and I will not apologize. Besides he won't say it again because now he fears me," Pony finishes with a grin on is face.

The whole situation made Soda uncomfortable but surprisingly very proud of the kid. "Well kid next time tell the teacher. Don't be hitting anyone," Soda tells him so that he won't seem like he was encouraging his brother.

"I told the teacher after I shut him up. She decided that I did not need to be in trouble. Billy has been mean to lots of other kids even when the teacher said to stop. Maybe his mama and Daddy need to spank his butt so maybe he will be nice," Pony tells is brother the same way any kid would tell a friend.

"Your right Pony. Maybe his mommy and Daddy don't discipline him, but you know Darry and I will you. Next time tell the teacher first. I don't want my baby brother fighting. Now baby you know what he said is false right? Mom and dad loved you very much and no matter what you do Darry and I will always be here and love you too," Soda tells him hoping that some kid doesn't get Ponyboy paranoid or upset over things very untrue.

"I know it's a lie. You tell me that all the time. Maybe someone needs to show Billy that he is loved. Maybe his mom and dad forget to tell him that. Maybe Monday I'll try to be his friend. Maybe it will make him a nicer person," Pony tells Soda lost in his thoughts.

Ponyboy shocks Sodapop sometimes. He was so insightful. Soda himself would not consider befriending a boy who has been a jerk a few days before. Conversations like this is what made Soda know his baby brother was going to grow up and make a difference in the world. He sure hopes it sticks with the kid.

"Ponyboy?" Soda says to get his attention.

"Yes?" Pony ask turning to his brother.

"If telling the teacher don't stop a kid from being mean to you or anyone else then you kick that kids ass," Soda tells his brother with a grin. Ponyboy smiled glad Soda was not mad at him. Pony knew he was a pretty lucky kid. What other kid can say he is raised by brothers and gets to have paint gun fights?

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I will try and update faster from now on. Have a great night!