"You're sweet on my brother?" Ponyboy asks around the sucker in his mouth. He's been trying to cut out smoking because of track, so he's occasionally grouchy, but nothing too bad.
"I'm not sweet on your fuckin' brother, kid," Steve says.
Johnny and Ponyboy look at each other, before Johnny shrugs and says, "he's sweet on your brother."
"He's sweet on my brother," Pony agrees.
"I'm not-" Steve starts, but Soda pops his head into the room, drawing everyone's eyes to him, and asks, "Stevie, where're my shoes?"
"Ya left one on top of the fridge and the other in the bathroom sink," Steve grouses, "I put 'em by the door."
"You always look after me, Stevie!" Sodapop beams and heads down into the hall, his bare feet slapping the floor.
"Someone has to," Steve grumbles, smiling slightly. He turns to see the two younger boys staring at him. "What?"
Johnny and Ponyboy give him a flat look, and time seems to stop for Steve, before his eyes grow wide, and he puts his head between his hands. "Oh, my god," he says. "I'm sweet on your brother."
"You're sweet on my brother," Ponyboy agrees, amused. He gnaws on the stick of the sucker, bored, as he and Johnny watch Steve have a minor meltdown.
"Sweeter than sugar," Johnny quips, "Sooner or later you'll be buying anniversary gifts for him."
"He likes daffodils," Ponyboy offers, and Steve has the grace to look horrified before whispering, "I know."
"And he's always wanted-"
"-to go horseback riding again, just for fun," Steve finishes, mumbling.
"Damn," Johnny whistles, "You're in deep."
Steve groans into his hands for a solid ten minutes.