Me: Hey guys Blue is back at it again!
Dally: Don't forget about us!
Johnny: Yeah man come on!
Me: Sorry! I don't own the Outsiders! Go, SE Hinton! Now, on with the story!
Ages all same but Ponyboy is 4.
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Dally's Pov
Ponyboy sat on the floor, staring at the TV with a blank stare. Mickey Mouse was playing in the background but Ponyboy was off in his own little world, oblivious to me watching over him. I chuckled softly and took a glance at the clock hanging on the wall. I stared at the small boy and sighed when I realized it was time for him to head to bed. It was bad enough I had let him stay up this late. It was strange seeing Pony so off in his own little world. He hasn't interacted with anyone all day and frowns when any of us take him away from his activities. His small hands were always gripping the corner of a green blanket that he always carried with him. He was still so vulnerable. He was small and weak compared to the rest of us. And to be honest, I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth when I looked into those innocent, green eyes.
"Hey kid, it's time to get some shut-eye." Ponyboy whipped around and faced me. His eyes grew wide at the mention of his bedtime and I couldn't help but chuckle. He's a child at heart and at mind. It's the cutest thing in the world. He smiles at the mention of getting to hang out with Johnny or Two-Bit and frowns when he's stuck with Steve or Darry. Even though he's not old enough to fight or anything, he isn't afraid to pounce on ya and throw a punch to your face for doing something.
"I don't want to! C'mon bubby don't make me!" I stopped and stared at the kid. His eyes were shining with the sense of hope that he wouldn't have to close his eyes and rest. I wanted to let him stay up but his bedtime had been an hour before but he was too hyper for me to get him to lay down. Thank God the kid couldn't read a clock or he would pull out his puppy dog eyes and beg for 15 more minutes. I stopped and glanced warily over my shoulder, hesitant to acknowledge the kid's cries for more time awake. As much as I hate it, he's still too young to be staying up as late as we do.
"Look, kid, go get in your pj's. I'll sing to ya." Pony's eyes widened with delight and he sprinted off to his bedroom, a cloud of dust being left behind as he rushed to go find his Batman footie pajamas. I chuckled at the thought of seeing him running around the house and trying to stop any of the gang from doing something bad. Even though he would never do anything illegal, the rest of us do and sometimes it's too much for him to handle. He's always worried about us and always tries to help when one of us gets hurt.
"Hey, Dally watch out!" I turned around and jumped when Two-Bit came running up behind me. He ruffled my hair and put me in a headlock causing Pony to cringe. We started roughhousing and pony stood by and watched, hesitant to do anything.
"Dally, you said you sing to me!" Two-Bit and Dally stopped.
"He got you with the puppy dog eyes didn't he?" I nodded my head and got up.
"Alright, kid come here." Two-Bit chuckled as Ponyboy ran over to me, almost tripping over his own two feet. He started to jump up and down wildly and cringed when I suddenly sat down. I shook my head and glanced at Two-Bit who caught my look. He smiled and sat next to me, Ponyboy laying in between us on the couch and curling up into Two-Bit's side for warmth.
"Can you sing the one that you sang to your first girlfriend! Please, Dally!" We both had to take a deep breath and sigh. We were going to argue with him but decided against it. Ponyboy always fell asleep to the song and something about how he didn't stop to think about why we didn't always want to sing the song. Then those eyes of his, those green eyes would light up and it became impossible to say no.
"Sure kid." We looked at each other and smiled as the words slipped past our lips. I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear while singing, Pony's eyes slowly becoming heavier as he drifted off to sleep.
I looked at Two-Bit and stopped singing. Pony's chest had started to rise and fall slowly. Two-Bit couldn't help but smirk at me as I sat there.
"Guess, I know your weakness huh Dal?" I couldn't help but grin.
"Yeah, I guess you did."