Hi everybody. I'm back again. Thankies to Ivy45663 for helping me mull over the Steve aspect of this story. And hey, it's dedicated to her, so we all know she's awesome.

Disclaimer:

Don't own, don't sue, I make no monies, and even if I did, I'd be poor because of my coffee habit. Also, slashy themes and such.

"Pony, Steve, anybody home?" Soda called. Steve and Pony separated and tried to look innocent before Steve hollered to Soda.

"Yeah, we're in here." Steve smiled at Pony. Soda bounded in and started jumping on the already occupied bed.

"What are you two up to? Haven't been fighting, have ya?"

"Of course not. We're having a manly talk about girls, cars and beer." Steve said.

"Steve, don't be corrupting Pony with beer. Girls and cars are all good but we can't afford to keep him and you in six packs." Soda teased, pulling Steve's hair and he continued jumping.

"Don't forget Two Bit." Pony said.

"You two are really getting along okay?" Soda asked. They hadn't had much luck after Johnny and Dally died. They'd avoided each other as much as possible, except when Soda insisted on them all going out.

"Yeah. We're just talking." Pony said. Soda stopped bouncing.

"Talking? You? And Stevey? Jeez, maybe I'm leaving you two alone too much."

"Naw Soda, we're just getting along better, prolly is your fault though." Steve said. He winked at Pony and Pony flushed.

"Yeah, well, Lord help me if I make world peace next." Soda said. He was overjoyed to see them in the same room, both looking just as happy as he was.

"You are on a roll." Pony murmured.

He didn't understand why Steve was being so damn nice. It scared and intimidated him. He couldn't figure out why Steve would- well, it made Soda real happy to see them getting along, but he doubted it making Soda as happy if he'd have caught them kissing. So why kiss him?

Was it the easiest way to get Pony to be nice without trying real hard? Just say 'I love you' and keep him quiet? Did Steve know he wouldn't go too far, especially at first? Was he counting on it to go real slow, and stay friendly, just to make Soda happy because they weren't at each other's throats in company?

It still didn't make sense. He could just be nice, not romantic nice, and they'd get along fine, right? Pony was no die hard Steve fan, but if Soda liked him enough to be his best friend, hang with him all the time, and even take care of him when his dad flipped out, well, something had to be there. Why couldn't Steve just be the Steve Soda liked? Where was the advantage to coming onto Pony?

Was Steve trying to trick him? Hurt him? Wait until they went all the way and then tell the gang?

Pony didn't understand why Steve would do this, no matter what his motivations were. Even if Steve was just using Pony, trying to keep him busy so he could have Soda to himself, why do it this way?

"You guys wanna go out tonight?" Soda asked.

"Sure." Steve said.

"What about you Pony?" Soda asked. Pony couldn't say no.

"Yeah, sure."

"All right. Let's find Two Bit and have some fun." Soda said, jumping on the bed once more and falling across them both.

(la la la)

Steve drove them to the drive through movies and they actually stayed in his car for once instead of sitting up in the seats. Steve and Soda went out to the concession stand to get some popcorn and left Two Bit and Pony in the car. Pony was itching with questions.

"Hey Two Bit." He had to be careful about asking questions or even Two Bit would get the wrong idea.

"Yeah Ponyboy?" Two Bit turned to him with a sideways grin, ignoring the loud commercials for Coke.

"What do you think about Stevey?" He asked.

"What about Steveycakes?" Two Bit asked. He was chewing that damn cinnamon gum again and popped a bubble at Pony.

"Is he nice?"

"He's nice enough. Real cocky but sometimes he can be a little ornery. It's his way of dealing with things." Two Bit said.

"What do you mean?" Pony asked. Two Bit ruffed the back of his head.

"What do you think I mean, shortie? His dad kicks him out all the time, his mother abandoned him and the closest thing he's got to family is us. And we aren't even all put together anymore. He has trouble telling anyone but Soda how he really feels, but the way I figure it, he's got a lot of hurting in him." Two Bit said.

"I never thought of that." Pony said.

"Yeah, besides, I heard he and Evie are finally through. He doesn't seem to be taking it too hard though. Can't blame him, she's no Kathy, and kinda easy." Two Bit said. Pony nodded, deep in thought. Two Bit's stare drew him back and made him realize that he needed to make conversation or Two Bit would think something was up.

"How is Kathy?"

"As fine as she ever was." Two Bit winked and nudged him in the ribs. "You outta find a girl like her. Real pretty, but classy enough to only go with me, and she won't ever go all the way." He winked again. "Yet."

"I'm sure I'll find someone."

And if Pony could learn a little more about him, that someone might be Steve.

So we begin the "get to know you" phase of their relationship. It'll be short in terms of chapters, but a lot of time as far as storyline. It would take a lot for Pony to let Steve romance him, so here the trek begins.

Tell me whatcha think. Btw, I know I have a habit of stringing readers along and torturing them with how I "abandon" stories, (I didn't abandon it, it just took, well, a year… shifty eyes) but I won't abandon this one. Mostly because it's gonna be a little shorter than usual, but just as, heh, spicy…

Anyhoo, luvs, and shoot outs to Ivy,

Shadows Run