ANYONE POV
After checking on the boys, Darry sat for a long time just remembering his parents. He was trying to find a reason for what happened. "Does it really matter?" Darry asked out loud. Resting his head on the back of the chair, first one tear, then another fell. "No!" he stood abruptly. "I can't do this. I will not give in to self-pity. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. Why did you take them? I want them back," he cried as his tears flowed freely now. Darry stood there before falling to his knees. "I still need them. Oh God, Mama," he choked tearfully.
Dally watched the young man in silence not knowing if he should intrude, but also knew he couldn't leave Darry alone in his grief. Seeing Soda in the hall looking horrified, Dally shook his head and moved to the shattered man. Looking at the boy, he mouthed "Stay with Pony."
Soda nodded and went back to his room.
"D.S., I need you to calm down for me," kneeling by him, Dally rubbed his back.
"Dally, I don't want to talk," he managed.
"So we won't talk," he said easing Darry to him, holding him till the sobs died down. It was late and both men were drained. Dally stood and pulled Darry up, leading him to his room. "Lay down, I'll be back in a second," going into the boys room, he found them awake.
"Is Darry okay?" Soda wanted to know.
"Yeah, everything is hitting him pretty hard right now. You go back to sleep. I'll make sure your brother is all right."
"I'll take care of Pony tonight," Soda promised.
"Good, I'll take care of Darry," he told them leaving the room.
ANYONE POV
Dally went back to Darry's room hoping to find his friend asleep, instead he was staring into space.
"Darry?"
He looked up to see Dally leaning by the door. He was tired, but smiled at his buddy.
"Yeah?" he tried to keep his voice neutral. "I thought you left again."
"No, I couldn't leave you like this. D. S., the longer you hold onto your grief, the harder it will be when you break. I don't think you're weak because you're hurtin. I'm here, and I won't leave you."
All at once Darry's face crumpled and he swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
"Dal, it hurts. I'll never see them again."
"I know buddy," he crouched by the bed and looked him in the eyes, resting his forehead against Darry's. "You will be all right."
DARRY POV
After a while, I pulled away. "Dally, why did you come back? I thought you left to find Sylvia."
"I needed to be here with you," he told me and I really didn't care why he was here, I was just glad that he was with me and not with that skank.
"You look so tired D. S., lay down awhile."
I decided a shower would help me sleep. After adjusting the temperature, I climbed under the hot stream. A few minutes later, the door opened and closed and the locked clicked as it turned. I didn't have to look to know who it was. Dally left his clothes in a pile before joining me. Glancing at him, I was awestruck that he was with me. We'd both been alone to long. I dropped my gaze bashfully from the passion and need I saw in his usually cold eyes.
Dally chuckled when my fingers lingered on his chest as I soaped his body.
"Turn around Dal," I spoke softly. His body became rigid when I drew the wash cloth down the taunt line of his buttocks and legs. When done, he turned back to face me. Our eyes were dark with unspoken longing.
"Your turn," he said hoarsely and went to work teasing me. My nipples hardened instantly when Dally's hand brushed against my skin.
"You ain't used to being touched, are you?" he asked.
"No," was my reply in an unsteady voice.
Dally smiled. "You've been out on dates. You and Bree Ann dated."
"I don't feel that way with them."
"Not even Bree Ann?"
"No," we were standing so close. The feel of Dally behind me, the water raining down on us, the intimacy of us being together made me ache all over. He pressed his body even closer. The desire was almost painful.
ANYONE POV
A heartbeat later Dally pressed his mouth hard against Darry's parted lips. One leg wormed its way between his and there was a sharp intake of breath when Dally moved until they were so close, a slip of paper wouldn't fit between them. After drying off, they went down the hall to the bedroom. Somehow Darry managed to remember to lock the door.
"Dally, we shouldn't . . . " he faltered when the hood eased down on the bed and followed.
"Make me forget Dal, please," he choked out.
Dally felt a flash of pain under his ribs, Darry wanted the oblivion making love would bring and he wondered of anybody would have done or if it was him the heartbroken man wanted?
"Is this what you want?" Dally questioned touching him. His mouth leaving a trail down Darry's stomach. "Tell me D.S."
"Yes Dally, this is what I want. I want you," he bit out. The other man nodded and despite his own aching need, he was slow and tender with him, making sure Darry was aroused and more than ready before easing over his trembling body.
"I won't hurt you," he whispered before taking him. "No matter what you can believe in me."
ANYONE POV
Darry's hands clinched into fists as he felt Dally teasing, stretching, and finally entering hit tight body gently.
"Open your eye's D.S., look at me," dark frightened eyes met his.
"I will never deliberately hurt you," he breathed adoringly. His eyes closed as a wave of pleasure washed over him when he moved closer and felt Darry pull at him.
The feel of Dally inside him was an experience beyond compare. There was a little pain as the thrusts became faster and deeper, but the good feelings far out weighed the bad.
"Are you okay?" Dally asked, smiling in wonder that Darry was finally his.
"I...yeah I'm great. You feel amazing."
Dally's hand reached between them to stroke Darry's hard shaft while his hips sank even deeper into the younger man. Hearing him moan his name sent Dally over the edge and thrust harder and harder until Darry trembled in his hand. Darry watched captivated as his lover cried out and pulsated inside him.
"Dal?" Darry gasped a few minutes later.
"Yeah D.S.?"
"I've never felt like this with anyone. It's so powerful, so all consuming. Is this normal?"
"I think it is. I've never felt like this wither," Dally told him softly.
"Will it always be like this?" Darry asked. Dally rolled to his side looking into Darry's eyes.
"Yes, but it won't always be this tender. Darry, I'm not a gentle man and I like my lovin hard, but this is what you needed tonight. We should get some rest now."
"But . . . "
"I know we still need to talk. There's time for that, for now close your eyes and sleep with me," he smiled and pulled Darry close against him. Soon both were sleeping peacefully.
DARRY POV
Soda and Steve were at work. Pony went to the movies with Two-Bit and Johnny. I was sitting around the house with Dally getting ready to start dinner when the Clarkes barged in.
"Lisa, I don't want you here," I told her flatly.
"I want to talk to you about the boys."
"What about them? They are both fine."
"I have papers that will transfer custody to me, all you have to do is sign them, then the adoption can go through."
I stared at her. Man, she was crazy.
"Lisa, I already told you that no one is getting my brothers. If anyone is going to adopt them, it will be me. They don't need another mom or dad, so leave us alone."
"Don't be silly. You are not old enough to be his dad."
"I love both my brothers and I already told you if that little boy needs a dad, then by God it will be me."
"Darry, maybe you should think about it," Jack suggested.
"Oh I have. Did you really think I'd say yes after what she did to Sodapop? Do you think they'd really go? Get out."
We didn't know that the two youngest of us had been listening by the door and slipped away before Lisa stormed out. I spent the weekend getting to know my brothers and friends again. I learned that Pony and Steve didn't really like each other, but got along for Sodapop. Johnny and Pony were best friends despite the three-year age difference between them and the quiet boy spent most of his time in the lot, with Dally or my little brother.
When Monday morning rolled around, Pony looked a little pale, but went to school anyway. After we all got home, Soda made dinner then went out with Steve. Pony and me watched TV, eventually Johnny came in right before we went to bed.
ANYONE POV
Steve and Soda walked into the bedroom because they wanted to ask Ponyboy something.
"Hey little brother," Soda reached a hand to gently shake the younger boy awake. His T-shirt and the covers were wet.
"Stevie, he's been sick. He's soaked," he ran to get a wet cloth and gently cleaned his face. "Stay with him Steve."
"Sure," he took the cloth and ran it over Pony's face and neck. Soda went to get Darry. He barely registered that Dally was in bed with his brother or the fact that Darry was sleeping in the older man's arms.
DARRY POV
"Darry, you need to get up."
I opened my eyes to see Soda by the bed.
"Are you all right Sodapop?" I asked sitting up, very aware of how he'd found me.
"I'll fine, Ponyboy is sick," he told me.
"I'll be right there," Soda nodded and left. Looking at Dally, I sighed and got up.
"If you need help, holler," he said rolling onto his stomach.
"Thanks, I will," I shut the door and quickly went to the boys room.
"He's really bad Darry," Soda told me visibly upset. "Will he be okay?"
"I'm sure he will be," I walked past my middle brother into the room. Pony was hot to the touch. "We need to get him cleaned up."
"I'll run a cool bath to help with his fever," Johnny told us.
Two-Bit gave Pony some water, but it came back up.
"Small sips Two-Bit, so he keeps it down. ," I told him picking the hot child up.
"Soda, you and Steve change the bed. Johnny, come help me. Two-Bit, go sit down."
ANYONE POV
They went into the bathroom where Darry gently set Pony down. He opened his eyes.
"Don't feel good Dare," he complained.
"I know Little Man, but a cool bath will help. Let's get this wet shirt off," he pulled it off then the jeans, leaving his boxers on. Pony was only partially aware of being set into water. Soda came in.
"Ponyboy, you okay?"
"Tired. I want Mama," the little boy stammered. The three boys were shocked at how weak the youngster's voice sounded.
"I know baby," Soda soothed him.
After quickly washing Pony off, Darry lifted him out and got him dried and dressed in short order.
DARRY POV
I stood up with Pony in my arms, and he laid his head on my shoulder.
"I think he's asleep," Soda said.
"Good he needs the rest," I replied lying him on the freshly made bed.
"I'll stay with him," Soda told me like he expected me to go back to bed and leave them alone.
"We both will," I gave him a hug on my way to the kitchen. "He'll be fine. It's prolly the flu," I exhaled. "I'm gonna make coffee. It's gonna be a long night."
Soda and me took turns sponging Pony down to break his fever.
"Soda, we need to make sure Pony stays warm and drinks plenty of fluids. Why don't you lay down with him awhile? You look ready to drop," I said glancing at the sick child knowing my middle brother wouldn't leave him. He nodded and lay beside him, then set up and rubbed his back. After watching Soda fight sleep for two hours, I finally sent him to the living room, promising to get him if there was any change. Pony was tossing and squirming in the bed, his small body ravaged by fever. His auburn hair hung in limp strands that framed his pale face. It was an awful feeling to set there and watch my baby brother in pain, calling for mama and daddy. Pony rolled on his back and moaned, his eyes half-open, lips cracked and dry.
"So thirsty," he cried
DARRY POV
Dally held a glass of ice water. I hadn't even seen him come in. I watched as he gently lifted Pony's head and let him sip the cool liquid. He swallowed thirstily. Once the water stayed down, he ran a piece of ice over his lips.
"It will help keep them from cracking."
I thought I'd rest my eyes just a minute, but woke up a few hours later to see Dally rub Pony down with cool water. He made sure he was dry and covered up so he wouldn't get a chilled.
"Mama," Pony whimpered. "Want Mama."
Soda came in and sat on the bed.
"It's all right baby, go to sleep," he calmed him.
"Cold," he groaned. "I'm so cold, Sodapop, lay down with me bubby."
I watched as Soda did as asked. Pony shivered then relaxed with a soft sigh. Pretty soon both boys were dead to the world and Ponyboy's fever broke early that morning.
About 9:00 a.m. Johnny came in to keep Pony company. Pony had started to get up, but the neasua came back when he moved, holding his head as he wobbled. Johnny caught him.
"For a second I felt better," he said roughly.
"Think you could handle some soup?" I asked standing in the door.
"I don't know," he confessed closing his eyes he trembled. "Daddy would rock me."
"I know," I said as the pain of losing our parents came back. "Want me to?" I asked. Pony's bloodshot eyes opened, he nodded shyly and climbed on my lap, leaning against my strong shoulder.
DARRY POV
"Darry?" Pony called my name.
"Yeah Pony," I answered sleepily. We'd been sitting there all morning, not that I minded. It was somehow comforting to be holding my little brother close.
"Why did you go away?"
"I had to Little Man. There were reasons you wouldn't understand," I murmured.
"Mama told Daddy that you can't help who you love and she wanted you home where you belonged. What did she mean?"
I couldn't answer, my eyes closed. I was fighting burning tears. I never got to make up with Dad, I wished I had, but it was too late now. I let Pony slip into sleep, then laid him on the bed and went to fix dinner after Soda came home.