Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders. I do, however, own this fanfiction.

Note: this takes place shortly after Mr. and Mrs. Curtis die.

In Darry's Arms

Ponyboy's POV

I stare at the picture in my hands. The woman had beautiful blonde hair and bright green eyes. The man had dark brown hair and wild eyes. They were both smiling. The woman had a nice, gentle smile while the man had a reckless grin that could make anyone's day. Their smiles showed their love for one another; love for their children.

Three boys. Two with unique names, courtesy of the man with the reckless grin, and one with his namesake. They seemed like the perfect family. We seemed like the perfect family.

I remember my mother baking chocolate cake for us and the gang. It was delicious, the best cake I'd ever eaten. I don't know if I can ever eat chocolate cake again.

My father taught us to play poker. He took us hunting, even though Darry was the only one that actually shot anything.

How was it that all their love could be demolished from a single accident? One accident. That's all it took to take away my parents for good. I was thirteen. I needed my dad to teach me to shave. I needed him to give me advice on girls. I would take a repeat of "the talk" if it meant he could give it to me. I needed my mom to take embarrassing pictures. I needed her to help me with my homework. I needed her to share her love of reading with me. I needed her. I needed him.

I needed my parents.

The picture starts to get blurry as I start to cry again. I quickly put it on the nightstand so my tears wouldn't ruin it. I lay down on the bed, hoping the pillows will muffle my sobs.

They don't.

I hear the door open and I look up, expecting Sodapop. I'm surprised to see it's Darry. Sure, Darry and I were pretty close but Soda was the one that normally comforted me. Wordlessly, he sits next to me, the bed sinking with the added weight. His hands rub gentle designs on my back. I turn away from him, hiding my face but allowing him to trail his hand up and down my spine. The tears continue to fall.

"Ponyboy?" His voice is soft. I shift but don't answer. We slide into silence, his hands still on my back. I can tell he doesn't know what to say, and I don't blame him. What do you say to a kid when both of his parents are killed? There really isn't nothing to say, yet, I could use some words of comfort.

I turn my head back towards my brother, facing him. "Darry?" I ask, my voice cracking.

"Yeah, kiddo?"

"What's gonna happen to us? Me and Soda?" Soda was only fifteen, almost sixteen. I was only thirteen. Meanwhile, Darry was nineteen. He was off to college soon. Soda and I couldn't do anything. We were technically still kids. Now orphans.

"I'm gonna take care of you, Pone. Both of you," he answered, looking straight into my green eyes.

"But what about college and football? Your scholarship..."

"I can go to college in a few years. I'm going to get custody of you and Sodapop." But is that what he wanted? I know that's what my parents wanted, but what did Darry want?

"Don't do what Mom and Dad would've wanted, Darry. Do what you want. It's your life and your decision," I told him.

"This is what I want." I looked at him. Really looked. Hi shoulders were squared, firm. His eyes held determination. He would do this because he loved us.

I jumped up and hugged him, my arms wrapping around his waist and I buried my head in his chest. A new set of sobs came over me and the tears soaked his shirt. He looked startled for a moment before he wrapped his arms around my shaking form.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you," I mumbled over and over again.

"Shhhh, Ponyboy, shhh," Darry soothed me. He slowly untangled my arms from his waist and eased me back down on the bed. Already, I felt my eyes beginning to droop. I was physically and mentally exhausted. I closed my eyes as I felt Darry brush my hair away from my forehead and give my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. The bed shifted again as he got off it, walking towards the door. I reached a hand out, gripping his arm.

"Stay. Please," I begged. He nodded and laid down next to me, putting an arm around me. The last time I had slept with Darry was when he, Soda, and I had built a fort in Darry's room when I was eight. I sighed in content and curled up in my brother's arms.

Everything would be alright. Soda and I would stay be alright. We would be staying in one of the safest places I knew of; in Darry's arms.

I actually really liked writing this one. I think I might rewrite all of these one shots and change their order. What do you guys think?

Anyway, sorry for not updating but I've been working on "Wanna be our new Kid Brother?" If you haven't read it then you should check it out...

— Stay Gold —

Sincerely,

Teenbookworm13