Sorry for the late update. I thought I already posted this chapter but I guess not. So I'm putting it up now (even though Thanksgiving is over.)
Also the next chapter will have lots of Pony/Dally fluff so hopefully that'll make up for the late update.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders.
It was a rather calm evening in the Curtis household. With each of the seven boys prepping for the quickly approaching holiday. Darry was busy preparing another pie, knowing they'd have it devoured if he didn't bake extras, for their dinner for the next night. Ponyboy was tracing his hand, drawing a turkey that he hoped would make the refrigerator. Of course it would, it was littered with all sorts of things the youngest had drew or worked on in school. Soon they'd have to find a new spot to hang his drawings where everyone would see them. Sodapop and Two-Bit were trying to ruin, as Darry put it, their turkey by adding unwanted ingredients such as chocolate, candy, chips, and even a little bit of Pepsi. Quickly enough though they were both shoved out of the kitchen and into the living room, where they got distracted rather easily by all of the Thanksgiving and early Christmas specials that were seemingly on every single channel. The other three boys, Steve Dallas and Johnny, just stood around watching everyone else, not wanting to be bothered, or get in anyone's way in Johnny's case, with doing any work.
Dallas was sitting next to Pony, watching as he now colored some thanksgiving pictures in his coloring book, apparently now finished with making his own. He allowed a smile to appear on his face as the kid tore out the page he had just finished coloring and handed it over to the older greaser. Though he knew that everyone else would get their own he was still glad to have gotten one. Still smiling, Dally thought about all of the papers that Pony had given to him recently and when he had first started coloring and drawing. He kept them all, something no one else knew, they were under his bed that he'd sleep in when he went to Buck's. Every night he'd go through them, always wondering how in the hell he became so soft.
His thoughts were once again interrupted as he spotted a bag of m&ms being spilled onto the table.
"C'mon Dar. Don't you think these would make a great addition to that plain, boring turkey? Or these?" Sodapop then proceeded to pull out some kit kat bars.
Before Darry could shoot his brother's idea down again, Steve interjected, "How would you even get those in?" Not a moment later he held a hand up, dismissing his question. "On second thought, keep it to yourself buddy."
Shaking his head, Soda pleaded once more, "Pony wants to try it! Don't you kiddo?" he questioned, turning to his baby brother. Of course Pony nodded, not knowing what exactly he was agreeing to.
Not in the least bit fazed by either of his brothers, Darry stuck by his previous answer. "No." He even pointed his finger in Soda's direction.
Pouting sulkily, Soda crossed his arms, in a playful manner as usual. "Fine. I guess we'll just have to eat all of this now." He gestured to all of the candy he had thrown all over the table.
"Not so fast little buddy. I think it's time for bed." He pointed at their youngest brother who had passed out, his head resting in his arms on the table.
Chuckling, Soda lifted Pony, snagging some candy with his free hand. After a stern look from Darry, Soda gave him another pout in which he received a slight eye roll.
Quickly enough night passed and Thanksgiving morning approached. A little too quick for Darry who had to wake up early, even earlier than when he had to go to work.
As the eldest Curtis busied himself with the turkey the rest of the boys, who weren't helping whatsoever mainly because they'd only get kicked out, were in the living room. Dallas sat in the armchair that Darry usually sat in but didn't really care if he was seen in it or not. He watched the football game that was on the TV, his expression uninterested.
Steve and Soda were sitting on the couch. Steve leaned back as he also watched the game while Soda looked bored, every so often reaching into a nearby bowl to grab some of the snacks in it. Watching sports wasn't his forte.
Johnny and Two-Bit kept Pony busy by letting him run all over the house, while Two-Bit chased him around eliciting squeals of laughter from the youngest Curtis.
Thanksgiving was definitely a time when they'd all just relax and enjoy each others company.
It was only a few minutes past noon but already the house was filled with the sweet aromas of their Thanksgiving dinner.
After not even ten more minutes Soda grew tired of the game and got up to go into the kitchen to check on dinner. That was why Thanksgiving and Christmas were his favorite holidays, because of all the food.
As he was just entering the kitchen he scooped up Pony, who was still running around the house, and walked up to Darry with a huge grin plastered on his handsome face once he saw the finished turkey.
"Finally. You're done. I'm starving here!" Soda exclaimed, glancing at the turkey longingly.
Darry shook his head, trying hard to keep the grin off his face. "Soda I'm far from done. I still have to cook the potatoes, stuffing and corn."
The middle Curtis sighed, placing Pony down on the counter beside the turkey. "You know we'd probably be eating right now if you'd let us help."
"We've been over this. If you guys wouldn't try and put things into everything then if let you help. And don't try pinning it on Two-Bit, even if it was all him." Darry added, knowing his brother all too well.
Soda smiled, shrugging and averted his attention on Pony. "Are you gonna have some turkey this year baby?" Every Thanksgiving Ponyboy wouldn't give turkey a second glance and would pitch a fit if he was given any. All Soda got in response was Pony shaking his head no. "But you're really missing out Pone. It's the best part of dinner!" He got the exact same response but only this time it took Pony a little longer to think about it. "C'mon kiddo. Just try a little tiny piece. For me?"
Reluctantly, Ponyboy nodded making Sodapop smile. He picked Pony back up and placed him back down on the floor so he could go play before dinner time.
Turning back around to face his older brother, Soda smirked. "Told you this would be the year that he'd try turkey." He held his hand out expectantly. "Now where's that five dollars you promised me?"
"He still didn't have any yet. So I don't owe you anything."
". . .Yet."
xxxx
When it was finally time for dinner the gang all piled into the dining room as fast as they could possibly go. None of them wasted time making their plates, except Dally who helped Pony make his before he started to make his own.
Everyone watched intently as Pony took a small bite out if his piece of turkey then taking larger bites, finishing it off rather quickly. Not as fast as the older boys but still quick. Needless to say that Soda was grinning ear to ear as he ate the food on his own plate.
After they all finished the dinner, with everyone except Pony having second and even third helpings, they were all back in living room watching the other games that were on TV, though no one was watching. Not even Darry.
"Darry is Soda sick?" Pony questioned, pointing to their brother who finally gave into his exhaustion and passed out on the floor, even if it wasn't the coziest place ever. He didn't care as long as he could just sleep.
"No Pone. He's fine. He just ate a bit too much and needs some sleep." This answer pleased Pony as he simply nodded and resumed playing with Johnny, who also seemed tired but was determined to stay awake for Pony.
After awhile Pony got bored and decided to just grab some paper and his crayons, knowing it'd be quiet. He didn't want to end up waking everyone, who had all fell asleep where they were sitting except for Johnny who was still sitting with Pony.
He watched as Pony drew a tallish figure and a smaller one. It took him almost thirty minutes to finish it but Johnny thought it looked nice.
"Here Johnny!" Pony handed the drawing to him and pointed out what everything was even though Johnny already knew. "That's you," he pointed to the taller figure then to the smaller one, "and that's me! And the house, and snow!" At first Johnny just thought that the snow Pony was talking about wasn't on the paper but he could just barely see the scribble of a white crayon at the bottom.
"Thank you Pone! I love it!" Johnny told him with a smile when he saw Pony looking at him expectantly.
Pony beamed before looking up at Johnny with curiosity. "Johnny? How many days until Christmas?"
Johnny chuckled. He had been waiting all week for Pony to ask that question. He ruffled his hair. "You still got awhile Pone."
"Aw!" Then realization was etched onto his face. "I need to write to Santa!" Ripping out a piece of paper, the young greaser wasted no time scribbling away all of the presents that he wanted. Johnny smirked a bit as he read over Pony's shoulder.
Poor Soda and Darry.