Soda's POV

I've been wondering about Darry and Steve ever since ever since my shift started. Now I'm finally home so I jog up to our run-down house that was so full of love despite how it looks. I open the door slowly and peek in. I smell chicken noodle soup and smile.

"That you, Soda?"

I step in completely and see Steve getting out of Darry's chair. Darry, however, is sprawled out on the couch with his arms and legs dangling out.

"Sure is. Did you make that soup there?" I ask pointing to the kitchen.

"Naw, the soup fairy did."

"That makes more sense than you being able to cook," I retaliate smiling and go over to him continuing, "Hey, thanks man, really. How's he doin', anyhow?'

Steve seems lighter, I notice, he's not being his usual hard self. It reminds me of when we were younger, before he got so mad at the world. "He just kinda slept a lot. He didn't get sick too much. His fever went down the last time I checked. Oh, the soup fairy saved enough soup for you if you want," Steve informs me.

"I like the sound of that," I say smiling, as usual, and go over to pour myself a bowl.

"I'm gonna go ahead and get, Soda. I'll see you tonight."

I watch him as he grabs his jacket and heads for the door. "See 'ya, Steve," I say.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Darry' POV

I wake up on the couch slowly and peacefully embracing the light coming in through the window. Slowly I take a deep breath in and stretch out my limbs. After a few moments I blink and realize it's Soda sitting in the recliner.

"Hey, Soda," I greet in a voice that sounded different than usual. It was smooth and content.

"Hi there, Dar, are you feeling any better?'

I sit up realizing I feel so much better and say, "Yeah, yeah, I feel great."

"Alright, well you stay there. We'll see what the thermometer says," Soda explains in his usual relaxed and happy voice.

Before I really comprehend everything there's a thermometer under my tongue. I take it out a moment later and announce, "99.5- I'm practically better."

Soda looks at me questioningly, but still grinning. "Well, we'll still keep on eye on it. I'll go ahead and call the doctor saying it looks like you're getting better."

I stand up now and look at our little clock on the wall. When I was little I would stare at that clock. There were little drawings of fairy tales decorating the face. It was weird seeing something that looked so innocent in this neighborhood. It was real nice. After getting over the pictures, I realize what time it is- 3:15. I decide to take a shower before the rest of the boys come over. Standing up, Soda looks at me from the ground where he's sitting, but doesn't say anything.

X X X

Pony's POV

I've been itching to get home since I left. Track was hard today and I can already feel my muscles starting to become sore. I don't mind too much, though. It kind of makes me feel like I've done something worthwhile. I wonder if that's how Darry feels when he comes home sore everyday. He didn't have to take today off because it was raining anyway. It's kind of a cold rain too, I notice since I'm walking home in track shorts and a t-shirt.

Shivering just a little, I try to open the door as quietly as possible. Coming in, I see Soda cooking something in the kitchen. "Hey, Soda," I whisper loudly, "How's Darry?"

On cue, Darry walks in and I see he's in his torn jeans and black t-shirt with wet hair combed to the side. "Ponyboy Curtis, what are you doing walking home in the rain without a jacket or nothing. It must be forty degrees! Go wash up before dinner."

I smile and respond, "Looks like someone's feeling better."

At this, Darry smiles as well and says, "Thanks, champ."

I go to take a shower and can't help but smiling even bigger because he called me champ.

X X X

Two-Bit's POV

Steve and I get to the Curtis's house at the same time and he tells me Darry's doing a lot better. Because of this, I decide it's okay to go ahead and be loud- which is a relief since I don't how much more of that whispering I could take.

I'm almost running when I get to the door and open it greeting loudly, "Hellooooooo, Curtis family!"

"Hellooooooo, Two-Bit!" Ponyboy says from the couch throwing a football at me that I catch and throw back.

Steve follows me in and says, "Hey, y'all."

"Come on, Steve, that was lame," I criticize.

Steve smiles, which throws me off by itself, but discreetly grabs a pillow from the couch and hits me in the stomach with it.

"Oh, so that's how you wanna play, huh?"

Before I know it, Steve, Soda, Pony, Darry, and I are all whacking each other with pillows. I pin Darry to the ground and say, "Well, you must be feeling better, aren't 'ya?"

"You know I am!" Darry says right back and flips me over pinning me down. For probably another fifteen minutes we all just had a bunch of fun. There was laughter, too. Laughter. It was such a wonderful and contagious thing. Darry was laughing even and I wasn't sure if I could remember the last time he laughed. Of course, he didn't laugh as hard as Soda, though, who was laughing and laughing with a smile that could light up a room.

It was just a real beautiful moment.