Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders.

Sodapop's POV

I groaned loudly when I felt someone shaking me in an attempt to wake me up. Slowly, I cracked an eye open to see that it was Darry who was shaking me. Groaning again, I shut my eyes again in hopes of going back to sleep. Even if just for a few minutes.

"Soda get up already I let you sleep in long enough. We're gonna be late," he shook me again, harder.

I groaned yet again and rolled over to the other side of the bed. It sure didn't feel like he let me sleep in.

Darry sighed, annoyed. "Soda don't make me get the guys to come in. They'll do worse than me."

"Fine," I mumbled. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, trying to adjust them to the bright sunlight in the room. It seemed brighter than usual.

"Now that wasn't so hard now was it?" Darry teased.

"Yes it was." I muttered quietly so he wouldn't hear me.

He stared at me for a moment before leaving. I set my feet on the floor and went into the bathroom so I could get a shower.

After my shower, I got dressed and walked into the kitchen for breakfast, where I overheard Darry talking to Dally about what he was supposed to do while he watched Pony today. Dally rolled his eyes and I guessed he had stopped listening a while ago. Chuckling, I grabbed my breakfast and went into the living room. We weren't supposed to eat in there but Darry was too preoccupied with Dally to notice.

I sat down on the couch, set my plate on the table and picked Pony, who was sitting on the floor playing with some of his toys, up and sat him on my lap.

"Morning baby boy," I gently blew in his face then tickled him.

"Morning Soda," he said, still laughing.

I smiled and reached for my plate so I could eat. But not too long after did I hear Darry yelling at me for not eating in the kitchen. I just rolled my eyes and made a face but reluctantly went into the kitchen.

Dally smiled at Pony and took him from me when I sat down.

"C'mon Dar don't you trust me?" Dally asked with a smirk.

"Not really but you're the only one available," he responded with a slight grimace.

"Hey," I started, trying to keep a grin off my face. "Maybe Two-Bit will ditch school today and help you out Dal."

I could hear Darry groan from the living room and saw Dally roll his eyes. "Two-Bit would just make it ten times worse."

"Two-Bit will what?" I looked over at the doorway and saw Two-Bit, Steve, and Johnny walking in.

"See what I mean?" Dally said rolling his eyes, then he looked at Two-Bit. "Nothing you hood."

"Anyways . . ." Two-Bit began, keeping his eyes on Dally. "Who's ready for another great day of school!"

"Not me," Steve grumbled, grabbing a huge chunk of chocolate cake and practically inhaling it.

"Here." I gave him a napkin, I had a feeling he'd need one. He took it and wiped his face embarrassed.

"Christ Steve. The kid makes less of a mess than you," Dally said, amused.

We all started laughing. But for a three year old, Pony never really made any messes. Well huge messes anyway.

"Come on guys! We gotta leave now," Darry yelled at us, running back into the room. He took Pony from Dally and told him he'd see him later then kissed his head before giving him back to Dally. I smirked at Dally before taking Pony back in my arms and kissed his cheek then gave him back and followed everyone else out to Darry's truck for work.

I just hope Dally knows what he's doing, I thought to myself before we sped off to the school to drop off Two-Bit, Johnny, and Steve.

Dally's POV

"Hey kiddo what do you wanna do now?" I asked Pony. I was watching him today for Darry and Soda. Originally I was supposed to be out with Sylvia but I didn't mind missing the date. She's just too stressful for me sometimes . . .

Pony had a look of pure concentration on his face. Dare I even say that he looked... cute. Eventually he just pointed over to where his toys were laying, scattered all over the floor. I just smiled at him.

"Alright let's go baby." Man am I glad the gang isn't here to see this.

I carried him into the living room and sat him on the ground next to his toys and watched him. I was surprised that he didn't get bored after about five minutes.

Sometime later, after I had turned the TV on, I felt a tug at my pant leg. I looked down at Ponyboy. "What do you need kiddo?"

He pointed at the mess of toys surrounding him then back at me. It looked like it got even bigger! I sighed. He always loved to have us play with him. Soda, Two-Bit, and Johnny were the best at that while the rest of us just let them play with him enough for everyone. But no one else was here. . . Great.

"What do you wanna play?" Hopefully something that's at least a little tuff.

"Cars!" he grabbed my hand, dragging me over to the big cluster of cars he had laying around.

I smiled. "Alright buddy." I picked up a car that sorta looked like the one I had, which was actually Buck's, and a blue mustang.

"Wanna see a race Pone?" I said with a mischievous grin on my face. Hopefully they don't break.

Pony tilted his head then nodded his head. "Yeah!" he yelled happily.

I smirked and set the two cars up together and threw them toward the kitchen. I picked Pony up and ran after them to see which one got further. When I saw the car that got the furthest, I let out a victory laugh. Pony smiled too.

After another hour went by, I heard my stomach growling. I looked at Pony, who was still playing with his cars, and asked him if he was hungry. Well I guess all Curtis' think alike because he immediately stopped what he was doing and walked over to me. Grinning at him I said, "Thought so."

"What do you want to eat buddy?" I looked at the many, many food combinations I carelessly thrown around the kitchen table, I didn't know what I wanted either. Sure Darry wouldn't approve of half the things I pulled out but I didn't care.

Pony looked like he was thinking real hard. He really did look adorable when he did that, which was way too often for my liking. Finally he settled for the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which I was happy for since I can actually make that.

It wasn't long before I heard a loud, obnoxious voice yell, "Honey I'm home!"

Please don't be. Please don't be. Please don't be. I chanted in my head. I turned around and groaned when I saw Two-Bit. Thankfully Johnny was with him. Johnny sat down beside Pony and played with him while Two-Bit moseyed his way over to me. I stifled a groan.

"Thanks Dal!" I looked at him questioningly then saw he took, more like stole, one of the sandwiches.

I could feel my eye twitching. "Two-Bit. Why don't you go in the living room?"

"How 'bout I not?"

I glared at him.

"Well it is getting boring in here." And with that he walked into the living room, where I heard loud crashes that I'm sure were all Two-Bit's fault. I just shook my head and continued to make sandwiches. When I was done I put them on the table and called Johnny in so he could get his and give one to Pony.

We all spent the next few hours playing, eating, watching TV, and listening to Two-Bit's obvious made up stories about his day at school. Two-Bit was just finishing up his story about hooking up with a blonde senior when Sodapop and Steve walked in. Soda immediately went over to Pony and picked him up. "Hi baby boy. I missed you," he told him, grinning.

Then he tickled him a little, obviously not caring that Pony was eating in the living room.

A few minutes later Soda walked over to me, still holding Pony. There was just no separating those two. "Was he good for you guys today?"

I nodded cooly. "Yeah man. He's always good." I smiled at Pony and rubbed his head, earning a giggle from him.

Soda sighed in relief. "Good. What'd you feed him?" he asked a bit suspiciously, like I fed him a whole chocolate cake or something.

"Sandwiches." I gave him a questioning look.

He just shrugged and said, "Someone has to ask these questions."

He was halfway in the kitchen when he suddenly turned around and asked, "Can you watch him tomorrow too?"

I thought about that for a while before remembering I had to work with Buck tomorrow. Sighing I said, "No I hafta work."

Before anyone could say anything Two-Bit spoke up and said, "I'll watch him Soda!" he walked up to Soda and petted Pony's head. "I won't let anything happen to his pretty little head."

Soda sighed but reluctantly agreed since Two-Bit was the only one available. I stifled a laugh. Two-Bit will probably burn the house down and blame a nonexistent dog. I wish I could be here to see this. But I'm also glad I won't be here. But either way, it isn't going to end well.

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