.::I do not own The Outsiders::.

"I'll cry about this,
And hide my cuckold eyes,
As you come off all concerned,
And I'll find no solace,
In your poor apology."

Steve finished up yet another car in the garage. Soda helped him by handing him the necessary tools. It was almost time for them to leave. Steve was going to a party that one of his friend's invited him to. In the past weeks his buddy had told him about some Socs following them. The gang has been on the lookout for any suspecting Socs. No one in the gang left alone the Curtis brothers (Well only Soda and Pony) for their safety. Steve thought it was time for some quality buddy time. Getting in his car he asked turning on the ignition, "Hey why don't we go off to one of Mark's parties tonight?"

Soda shook his head sighing, "Can't, I promised Pone we would go to the movies together with Darry."

Steve gritted his teeth, even though he now had a soft spot for the kid there were times when he still felt Pony was a pain in the butt, "Awe c'mon Soda. You need time to lay off for a while. You haven't even been on a date with Sandy 'cause you've been taking care of the kid!"

Soda thought for a moment trying not to get mad, it was true, it's been a while since he had some fun. And it's true, he hasn't been on a date with Sandy but she hasn't said anything about it...I'm sure Pony will do fine with Darry alone.

"All right let's go."

Steve grinned, "Woohuu! Party time Soda!"

Darry hung up the phone exhaling, He had promised Ponyboy...Uuf whatever I'll try to make it a fun night. Ponyboy was at the door peaking out, he wasn't allowed outside not even on the porch without any supervision. His eyes wandered around waiting to see if his brother Sodapop would get there already.

"Let's go Pony, Soda ain't coming." he said snatching the keys from the coffee table.

Ponyboy disappointingly stared outside, "But but he said he would come with us Dawy...Whewe did he go?"

"Um, work. It's fine little buddy we'll have fun without him ok? C'mon or we're gonna be late."

Darry decided to go to the drive in movies, yeah it was late at night probably assuming Pony wasn't going to stay awake for the whole show and it wasn't really a child environment but as long as his baby brother felt happy it was enough, also, it was his first time going to one of these. Darry took his little brother for any snacks, they got Pepsis, some popcorn and chocolate bars (Darry let it slide just not really wanting him to eat snacks at this time of night). Pony still felt betrayed by Soda's broken promise. He felt abandoned. He told me he was gunna be hewe with me...At least Dawy is with me.

The movie were about some silly cowboys, just a comedy one with a really dumb plot. Darry would stay quiet enjoying the movie while his brother laughed at the comical parts like if one fell exaggerating their fall. He had to be seated on top of some books so Pony could be able to see the movie being so small.

Not many times did they have a day for themselves, which is why it disappointed them both not having Soda with them tonight, it was rare for the Curtis family bonding time. It usually gets interrupted by the gang or work. Pony took it harder, promises for him were never ever broken, he made small sigh making Darry glance at him, "You ok?"

"Yeah..."

His hands clapped when it was over, "Dat was funny Dawy! Thank you."

Darry smiled putting on the seat belt for Pony, "No need to thank. I had lots of fun, want to come back again soon?"

Yawning he nodded, "Suwe."

They drove on home, Pony was carried to his room already falling asleep. He took off his clothes putting on his foot pajamas. He stirred lightly asking in a whisper, "Whewe is Soda?"

"He's still busy. I'm sure he'll come back soon. Go to sleep ok baby?" A kiss was planted on his forehead.

Darry took a deep breath angrily seeing how Soda wasn't home, on how it made Pony feel. It was eleven at night, his curfew was until 12 though. He still has an hour... In the kitchen he ate silently some cereal then went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Already in his pajamas he went to the living room turning on the television wanting to wait for Sodapop. Time passed by, still no sign of him. His patience was running out, Past his curfew...Oh Sodapop Patrick you are so grounded. Not all the time could he act like a brother covering up for him, that was forgotten when their parents died. Now he had to act like a parent...Guardian, he didn't like it but it was necessary now.

Almost falling asleep Soda's cocky laughter was heard outside, "Yeah see ya later Stevie!"His voice was a little off obviously drunk.

Darry's jar clenched watching Soda fumble with the doorknob trying to get in quietly only to fail completely stumbling inside. He turned to his big brother now trying to straighten himself up, "Oh I didn't shee you there Dar. How you doiiing?"

"First you cancel on our day, second you made Pony said, third you past your curfew and to top it off you're drunk! What in the all mighty universe were you thinking Sodapop Patrick Curtis?" He hissed.

Soda winced swaying a bit, "I-I'm sorreh really. I prooomise I won't do it again!"

"Not any time soon little buddy 'cause your grounded for the next two weeks. "

"No! Pleaaase Dar I really pro-"

Both shut up at the sound of screaming coming from Pony's room, "No..No! Help! No!"

They ran quickly finding him fighting something invisible his legs kicking in the air, his small fists throwing punches. Soda's drunkenness vanished at the sight of his little brother screaming like that, before getting to him Darry had already taken Pony into his arms rocking him back and forth. Pony whimpered clutching on to his shirt sobbing, "Dawy!" snif "...Dawy...It was scawy...Whewe is Soda?...Soda... He wasn't dewe..."

Darry narrowed his eyes at Soda but changed his face when he talked to scared Ponyboy, "Everything is ok honey, I'm here..I'm here...There's nothing to be scared about...Shhh shh don't cry don't cry."

Sodapop stood frozen on the entrance of the door feeling miserable that Pony didn't need him, that he wasn't there for him this time, that Darry gave him a dirty look knowing this was Soda's fault. Finally reacting he went closer to the sobbing boy that was now laying down in the bed sweating, "Can you leave me alone for a sec with Pone?"

"All right, um, I'll go get milk."

Soda gulped then turned to Pony who was still sobbing a little, "I'm here you don't have to cry no more. No one will hurt you I promise."

Pony furrowed his eyebrows angrily pouting, "No...Youwe a liar...You pwomised me dat dat-"Sob, "You wewe gonna come to da movies with us! You pwomised!"

Soda gulped again feeling a knot in his throat that was beginning to form, Damn it I just had to go to the damned party! "I know baby I know, I'm sorry. Real sorry. I'll make it up to you I promise."

"You pwomised Soda...You bwoke a pwomise...You also told me dat you wewe gonna be with me if-if da shadow wanted to get me!...You bwoke youw pwomise..." Pony had a pained look whimpering another set of tears falling down his face.

"No .. No... I-I'm here now! It's ok see? No shadows!" Soda stretched his arms wide showing him that nothing was around just them two.

"Just go away...I want Dawy!" Pony folded his arms avoiding his eyes.

Darry just on time stepped inside with the bottle of milk, "Drink this, it'll make you feel better."

Sucking on it Pony mumbled, "Dawy I wanna sleep with you, can I go to youw woom?"

He looked surprised at his request, Soda frowned sullenly, Damn it damn it I messed big time...Damn it!

"Sure...um...goodnight Soda...We'll talk about this tomorrow..." With that said he shut the door carrying Pony with him.

Sodapop plopped himself on the empty bed his eyes starting to sting remembering Pony's words, 'You bwoke youw pwomise...'

I'm such a lousy brother...God damn it and today! Of all days it had to be today! I'm real Sorry Ponyboy. I promise you that it won't happen again. Even if you don't believe me. I promise.

Before getting into bed Darry put pillows on the side where Pony slept so that he wouldn't fall off. Taking the bottle from his hands placing it on the bed dresser beside him, he kissed Pony on the cheek murmuring goodnight. Feeling his eyes close Pony spoke softly:

"Dawy...I feel sad..."

He stared at his brother, "I know you do hun but Sodapop feels really bad."

"He bwoke a pwomise Darry. He bwoke a lot of pwomises. He told me he was gunna be with me if da shadow took me."

"We can go watch the movies any other day together and the shadow didn't take you now did he?"

Pony shook his head, "No but...I don't wanna go with him anymowe. And I told you, da shadow almost took me. He was close..."

"Look Pone, no shadows are going to take you. That I promise."

"You also bwoke a pwomise Dawy."

Pony nodded turning around his back to Darry's face, "Me? What are you talking about 'lil colt?"

In a quiet voice Pony said in barely a whisper, "You pwomised Mama and Daddee wewe coming back..."

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)