Here we go again! Enjoy.

"Ponyboy Michael Curtis, what time did you get in last night?" Darry asked. Pony put his hand in his pockets. Darry probably knew what time it'd been. And anytime the middle name surfaced, Pony was in for it.

"Pretty late." Pony said.

"Would you like to tell me why?" Darry asked.

"I, was with someone-" Pony flushed. Steve hadn't told anyone about their date last night, or that they'd even been together last night.

"A date?" Darry asked.

"Yeah." Pony said. He flushed.

"You didn't go all the way, did you?" Darry asked. Pony flushed hotter. Darry was much better at talking than he used to be.

"No, I-"

Soda popped in from the bathroom, towel around his waist, hair dripping as he hollered.

"Hey Pony, did you have a good time with Steve last night?"

Pony's eyes went wide and Darry's brow furrowed. He stood up, turning his gaze to Soda. Soda shook his head off and splattered them both with the stray water.

"Pony and Steve went out last night?" Darry asked.

"Yeah. Steve told me yesterday after I got called in. Hey, did you make a cake for me?"

"Yeah, in the fridge. Pony, my room, now."

"Yessir." Pony stuttered.

Darry shut the door behind them and stared at Pony, eyes wide, eyebrow arched in disbelief.

"Where were you really? On a date or with Steve? You can't lie to me Pony, we worked too hard to get along real well, and I can't stand you lying to me." Darry said. His expression softened and he rubbed the back of his neck, stretching.

"I-"

"Don't lie to me, Ponyboy." Darry said.

"Well, I didn't." Pony said. Darry's brow furrowed deeper and Pony knew he was giving Darry wrinkles at a young age.

"What?" Darry asked.

"I was on a date. And I was out with Steve." Pony swallowed.

Pony couldn't lie, believably at least, and Darry's icy gaze was starting to drive him nuts. Besides, he didn't like lying to Darry. Not after all they'd been through. Not after all they'd done, all the times they'd just sat and talked, and listened, and tried to understand each other. And how well it'd worked.

"Did Steve take you and some girl out? I never pictured him as a good chaperone-"

"He took me out." Pony said. His voice died out as Darry's eyes widened.

"No way. Steve, you, you went on a date with Steve? Is that what I'm hearing?"

Pony swallowed. Then he nodded, trying to shrink into the carpet.

"You, Steve is, you're too young to be dating." Darry finally settled on that as he turned red. He didn't look, angry, but he was, something. Not anything good.

"I-"

"And it's Steve. He's a guy. And, he's Steve. He's too old for you. And he's a guy, Pony. Do you even know what you're doing? What'd happen if anyone found out? What'd happen if Soda-" Soda burst in and headed for Darry's closet.

"Got any clean jeans for me Superman?"

"Yeah, they're in the dresser Sodapop." Darry said. Soda rummaged for a moment while Pony flushed more. He found them and pulled them out.

"Thanks Superman. I'll be ready real quick like." Soda said, grinning as he slapped Darry's back as he went out again, shutting the door.

"Darry, you can't tell him." Pony said.

"I won't have anything to tell him. You can't be going out with Steve, Pony. You're too young, and he's not. I dunno why he's trying this, but I don't trust him further than I can throw him. You're lucky I don't just crack his jaw for even thinking about it. And I would rough him up, but I know Soda would figure it out eventually." Darry said, shaking his head and grumbling.

"Wait, you're okay with me, digging guys?"

"Pony, I love you. That's enough for me to accept a whole lot. But a lot isn't Steve Randle."

"Darry, you don't understand." Pony said. Darry turned from him and started to sort through his closet.

"Well, then make me understand. Why is Steve after you?" Darry pulled a shirt over his chest and buttoned it as he met Pony's gaze.

"I, didn't know at first either. That's why I started hanging out with him."

"And that's why you were asking about him, right?" Darry asked.

"Yeah." Damn, Darry was turning into a regular parent with his listening abilities. "And I think he must dig me."

"Dig you? Really?" Darry was trying hard not to chuckle. This was insane. Wasn't it?

"Yeah. I mean, I didn't believe it either but it kinda makes sense. Why he wouldn't want me around, why he'd yell at me all the time. He's still Soda's best friend, but I think he really likes me."

"Pony, it's obvious you and him are just really, really confused." Darry said. He put his hands on Pony's shoulders. "You two can be friends without getting into this entire mess."

"I know, but-"

"But you need to figure out what you're looking for with him so you can find it somewhere else, because I can guarantee you that whatever it is you're looking for, whatever it is you want, it is not anything Steve Randle can give you." Darry said.

"Darry-" Darry headed for his door.

"I'm not gonna tell Soda, but you'd better sort this out before he finds out, or you'll lose more than whatever you got in Steve."

"Darry-" Pony reached out and grabbed Darry's arm. Darry stopped and sighed.

"Yeah?"

"You don't care that I might, like guys?" Pony asked.

"Pony, you're too young to like anyone for certain, but if you do like boys in a romantic way, that's just who you are. I know it seems real scary, especially since this is Tulsa, and girl likes boys, and any boy that doesn't like girls pretends to, but you have to love who you can love, girl or boy."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's just part of who you are Pony. And I love you. Okay?" Darry asked. Pony hugged him and Darry wrapped his arms around him.

"Okay. I love you too Darry." Pony said.

"I know baby. Oh, and don't start crying, I just ironed this shirt."

Awwwwwwww, that's adorable. I love Darry, and him being all fatherly is enough to make you wanna watch Hallmark channel videos as you fall asleep… Naw. Anyway, I wanted this chapter to be longer, but I decided to post it sooner. Eventually the entire gang has to find out, right?

Luvs, and show me some luvs with reviews,

Shadows Run

P.S. And as always, thankies to reviewers. You make my day nicer.