Oh noes, I'm at it again!

Disclaimer:

You've heard it before dearies, and enjoy this chappie.

Btw, lotsa stuff happens this chapter, so be awares, and buckle your seatbelts.

Steve paced the Curtis living room, smoking and thinking. Shit. There was no way they could keep this under wraps much longer. And where was Pony anyway? He was supposed to have been home by now.

"Hey, don't smoke in here Steve. You know better." Darry said. Steve jumped. He didn't know Darry was home.

"Hey big guy. Sorry." Steve said. He had trouble keeping his cool around Darry these days and Darry knew it. He put the cigarette out in the empty ash tray and Darry came toward him.

"Not as sorry as you're gonna be." Darry put him in a headlock and Steve struggled in vain.

"Come on Superdope, lemme down. I'll tell Soda on ya." Steve said. His feet left the ground at one point.

"Maybe I should tell Soda on you." Darry said. The way his voice altered in a split second made Steve's heart skip a beat.

He fucking knew.

Steve wondered if he should try to roll in a ball now, or after Darry dropped him for ease of kicking.

Darry tightened his grip and pulled Steve closer, tilting his head up so their eyes met. And he knew it wasn't exactly comfortable for Steve.

"Listen, Steve Randle, if you hurt either of my brothers, I will hurt you."

"Darry-"

"And I don't care what you feel about this situation, know that this mild discomfort," He shook Steve a little and Steve felt a tightened grip around his neck. "will be pleasant compared to what I'll do to you."

"I'm not out to hurt nobody-"

"Regardless, how do you think Soda is gonna feel about you hitting on our baby brother? How do you think I feel about that Steve?"

Oh God, he was gonna die.

"I don't know-"

"How long did you think you could hide it?" Darry asked. He shook Steve a little again. "Hm?"

"I wasn't thinking about it-" Steve had his arms on Darry's now, if only to plead.

"Yeah, I know. Neither was Pony. Now, the difference is that Pony is a lot younger than you. He thinks you like him. And if that isn't the case, and you'd better damn well love him to be taking this risk, then you'd better get out before someone gets hurt. Are we clear, Steve Randle?"

"Yes." Steve gasped.

Darry tossed him to the couch and Steve rubbed his neck. Worst headlock of his life, but he was alive. Darry glared.

"So, if I do love him, it's okay?" Steve asked, his voice a little hoarse.

"You do love him, don't you?" Darry asked.

"Well, yeah. Why the hell else would I even try? I know you and Soda, and I knew I'd get that response, if not worse. I'm glad I can still see outta both my eyes and talk after this." Steve said.

"Wonderful." Darry muttered.

"How'd you know, anyway? That I loved him, I mean."

"I guess you reminded me of when I'd holler at him. I was only trying to keep him safe because he's my baby brother when I did. And when I stopped yelling, we got a lot closer. And if it's the same with you and him, I can almost relate." Darry muttered.

"I didn't know all you Curtis brothers could talk like one of those over priced shrinks they got for when Socs go bad." Steve said.

"Just be glad I talked at all instead of busting your skull in." Darry growled.

"Why ain't cha busting my skull in anyway?" Steve asked.

"Because I know what happens when I holler and hit people, okay? Do you think I want Pony to run out of here and have you to run to? I'm not losing him again, and if that means letting you live until you figure out how to not hurt Soda in this twisted romance, then fine. But remember, Stevey boy,"

Darry leaned forward and touched Steve's nose, waiting until Steve's eyes were wide before he smiled.

"If you hurt either of my brothers, the deal is off, and you will be a very sad boy."

(la la la)

When Pony got home, Steve was on the couch, hugging a pillow.

"Hey Steve." Pony said.

"Pony!"

Steve dropped the pillow and shot up, hugging Pony before he'd even set his books down. Pony rested his head to Steve's chest and enjoyed the warmth he felt in their embrace. Steve was really an okay guy. And when he was acting normal, he was sweet and Pony was starting to feel things. Beyond just liking him as a pal, or even as someone who occasionally kissed him and went a little too far, too fast.

He was starting to love Steve.

And he loved the idea of them being together because Steve made him feel safe. Safer than having two older brother who loved him and set fire to hell for him, safer than when his parents were alive, and safer than any other time in his life, because he was safe and loved. Someone looked at him and saw a lover, a companion, someone to share everything with.

And Pony loved feeling loved, but it wasn't about that either.

He'd talked to Soda once about wanting to be in love, and how sometimes he felt like it wouldn't matter who. And Soda looked at him, in his understanding way, and nodded.

That was how it was with Sandie. He was in love, madly, completely and without a doubt struck dumb by it.

And she just wanted to be in love.

That was why it hadn't worked. She didn't love him, she loved feeling in love, how he treated her, how she knew he loved her more than she ever could love him. And that was why it hadn't been enough to keep her faithful.

Soda had cried. He was so stupid sometimes. That was why he'd dropped out. If he couldn't tell who loved him, what chance did he have in college, or even high school?

And Pony could only say that someday, someone would love him more than he could even understand, and it would be more than enough to get them through everything together, and they would never leave him, and he wouldn't have to second guess himself about how much they loved him. And until then, he had brothers and a gang that could take care of him.

But Pony never expected it to happen to him.

So, he kissed Steve.

Steve held him close and got that heated grin that made Pony blush because he could only guess what dirty thoughts Steve was entertaining.

"You know how to greet a boy." Steve said.

"I got some bad news." Pony said. Steve sighed and they untwined themselves.

"Yeah, me too."

"Darry knows." Pony said.

"Oh, I know now." Steve said, rubbing his neck. Pony winced.

"Need some ice or anything?"

"No. But we need to think of a real gentle way to tell Sodapop." Steve said.

"Yeah." Pony said.

"Well, you're the brains in this relationship. Get to thinking." Steve said, grinning.

"What exactly do you do in this relationship?" Pony asked.

"I wait." Steve muttered, rolling his eyes. Pony hugged him and he shivered as Pony's waist snuggled to his legs.

"Well, I hope you're as good at waiting as I am at thinking."

(la la la)

The next Friday night, the whole gang went to the movies. Two Bit was romancing Kathy in a car down in the lot, and the rest of the gang was sitting up in the seats, throwing pop corn at each other and listening to the girls next to them giggle. Soda and Steve were up to their usual antics, and Steve occasionally hassling Pony, but it was a usual kind of outing. Except the part where Darry came along and was smiling.

But then again, Steve and Pony knew why he was there. He was making sure they weren't pulling a Two Bit and Kathy in the back seat of some car or otherwise. He was yawning a lot and looked bored, so they knew he wasn't in it for the movie either.

So it really was a family friendly outing.

"Darry? Darry Curtis?" A pleased female voice called and Darry turned in his seat.

"Yeah?" Darry asked, glancing back at the redhead behind him. He apparently wasn't used to female voices calling after him (apparently he doesn't listen very often, excuse author's drooling).

"I haven't seen you since high school. God, you're still so big and strong too!"

And so Darry, the ever protective chaperone, was taken out of commission by a semi hot acquaintance.

Soda, Steve and Pony noticed and there were many a raised eyebrow and ribald comment.

"I'ma go check on out Two Bit." Steve said, laughing. "Get me a Coke, would ya Pony?"

"Sure. You wanna go Sodapop?"

"I'll catch up with you in a minute." Soda said.

(la la la, you know nothing good came of a space)

Soda stretched as he headed for the bathroom. It was good seeing the gang together. And he'd never seen Pony and Steve get along so well. It was cute how they tried so hard just to make Soda happy, and now they couldn't see why they'd fought so much in the first place.

And Darry came along too. The gang was doing just fine and Soda was happy.

Although, he was a little jealous. He didn't like admitting it but seeing Pony and Steve get along made him feel a little less special to them both, even though he knew he was being childish and stupid. He was still Steve's best buddy and he'd always be Pony's brother. And now they didn't need him to break up their fights, and he didn't have to be in the middle. At least that much he could handle.

He went into a stall and shut the door behind him, idly taking note of the various numbers, names, cartoons and insults drawn on the walls. He heard the door open and close again but ignored it.

He missed having a girl. Seeing everyone getting along was great, but he needed someone to love that only he could love. Someone like Sandie, but better. Faithful, someone who could love him back and never leave him.

Soda yawned as he zipped up, turning to leave the stall.

"Hey grease." He stopped and peered out the slits in the door. Pony was at one of the urinals and a dark haired man stepped toward him threateningly.

"Steve-" Pony's voice stopped and Soda put his hand over his mouth as Steve kissed him.

Steve kissed him.

Steve kissed Pony.

And Pony let him. Their kiss lasted a few seconds until Pony broke away and slapped his hand.

Because Steve's hand had been slipping into Pony's pants.

Soda kept his hand to his mouth as his eyes went wider.

"Dumb hood. I thought you were checking on Two Bit?" Pony asked. He was washing his hands and Steve again slipped up behind him and pulled him close.

"I got lost." Steve said, swinging with Pony in his arms as he slid his lips to Pony's neck.

"Well get found. We gotta get some sodas and popcorn and head back before someone sees us." Pony elbowed Steve off.

"All right all right. I couldn't resist the temptation of saying hello to my favorite gal."

"Oh real funny. Well hello, to my least favorite fella."

Pony slipped his arms around Steve's neck, stood up on his tippy toes, and kissed Steve, on the lips. For a long moment. Such a long moment that Soda knew there had to be some tongue involved.

Then Pony broke it off and patted Steve's head.

"I'd love to see what you do to your favorite fella, m'lady." Steve murmured, pulling him closer and rubbing their hips close.

"I'm about to punch him in the gut, get outta here." Pony pushed him toward the door and they left Soda, hand still over his mouth, in the stall.

Pony had kissed Steve. Steve had kissed Pony.

They were, dating?

Soda took the hand off his mouth, clenched it into a fist, and slammed it into the wall.

Bare with me, I know Soda is not the angry type brother, but read on, and all will be explained.

Gimme some sugah on the way outs, weeee!