When we got back to the house, Two-Bit and Steve had left. Now Pony and Soda were on the couch watching TV.
"Hey Johnny, where ya been?" Pony asked.
"Just, uh, making sure that Shadow got some exercise." He said with a smile. The two boys on the couch just nodded, and returned to watching the show. Johnny soon joined them on the couch, and I wanted to get up too. I looked up at Soda, and he smirked and reached down, putting me in his lap. I let out a small sigh and curled up, Soda rubbing my side.
I got pretty bored after awhile, so I started thinking about the different styles each of the gang had when they petted me. It represented who they were, in a way. Two-Bit always hit my chest and sides kind of roughly, not in an abusive way, but more like he was proud of me. Steve would usually scratch me all over, which always felt great. Soda's way was similar to his, but he would just rub my body and scratch behind my ears. Johnny gave me nice, gentle strokes that ran the full length of my body. Ponyboy would usually pat me on the head and pet my sides. When Dally was with the gang, he wouldn't usually go near me, but if nobody else was around he would just hold me in his arms.
Speaking of Dally, the door opened and he walked in.
"Its fucking freezing out there!" he exclaimed. I jumped up and ran over to him, craving his love or praise. He just gave me a look with a hint of sadness, and brushed past me. He stretched out on the floor, not really paying attention to what was on TV. Finally after another long hour of watching boring shows, they turned it off.
"Whoa guys, is Dal asleep?!" Johnny said with a grin.
"I never thought that he of all people would just fall asleep in front of the gang," Soda said with a smirk. Johnny finally left the house, and Soda and Pony went off to bed. I looked at Dally, and walked towards him. His chest rose and fell steadily, and I was close enough to hear his breathing. Finally I laid down next to him, curled up against his side. It was the best sleep I had had in a long time.