.::I do not own The Outsiders::.

21. Love turns to hate.

Sodapop's mouth was 'o' shaped completely shocked by his brother's outburst. And not in a good way. He thought Ponyboy was going to be happy. Joyful that he came back. Sure, he'd expect Steve to be pissed but not Pony. Not his baby brother. This hurt him so much he could feel his heart sink. Steve barked out a laugh as he clapped his hands together. Twobit nudged his ribs for him stop. Darry closed his eyes smearing his face with his hand, somehow he knew something like this could happen. He didn't miss the signs Pony gave off throughout these two years.

"Well well well, shall we throw a party now?" Steve asked mockingly.

"Lay off Steve." Darry sternly said.

The door opened again with all heads turning to see who it was, Dally came inside with his thumb pointing behind him, "Saw the kid running looking pretty pissed. What the hell happened?" He whistles lowly when he saw Soda in the living room now getting everything, "Well I'll be damned...That really you Soda?"

"Hey Dally." Sodapop murmured as his shoulders slumped.

"Holy shit! We thought you were a real goner... No wonder the kid is off his rocker.

Soda sighed sitting down on the edge of the couch, "Don't remind me."

"Awe c'mon Soda. You should of known that Pony would be like that. I mean seriously, who the fuck leaves like that? Ya shoulda seen him, looked like a zombie when you left-" Dally was getting annoyed with Soda, Seriously, is he being stupid or acting?

Darry exhaled loudly, "Enough. Soda, why don't you go to your...old room. Twobit, can you go look for Pony for me? Steve, why don't you walk around or something to cool off. Dally, if you're planning to stay, keep quiet 'cause you sure have a way with words."

Dally smirked, "My talent, I guess."

Steve sauntered out the door grumbling some words with Twobit by his side, "Un-fucking believable."

Twobit bit his bottom lip thinking where would Pony ran off to. He was so unpredictable with being who he was. Maybe the library...But it's closed. Running away again? Nah. The park? Maybe. Maybe... God damn this! Frustrated he kicked something on the ground towards the road breaking. Steve kept following Twobit who decided to go look in the park first. Keith was also thinking of Sodapop's arrival. Sure he was happy for him to finally be back home but also irate like everyone else. He didn't even really say the reasons of why he ran away, only leaving just one lousy note. It also angered him that the whole gang suffered because of it. Especially Ponyboy. It broke his heart to had seen him so distraught.

"You know, even if you do fine the kid you're not gonna bring him back home that easily." Steve interrupted his thoughts.

Twobit nodded, "I know. I know. This whole thing is a mess. Johnny going to Nam, Pony alone again. And with Soda coming back it made things more shittier instead of getting everything better."

"What? Was Ponyboy supposed to cry in joy, dance around and be fucking happy? 'Course not," He snorted, "I'd hate Soda too."

"Whoa whoa. Hate? Isn't that a little too harsh?"

Steve shrugged as he glanced around in the park, "Nope. After what Pony went through I'm surprised there wasn't a punching fest."

The side burned greaser couldn't imagine those two brothers fighting. Ever since he met them he noticed how their brotherly relationship was unique in a way that they both knew what the other was thinking or if one was troubled or not. Born by the hip. Now, apparently that had all changed and now hatred was replaced. Their relationship down the drain.

Steve pointed at the park's water fountain where Pony was on his knees looking down at the water lost in his own mind.

"Pone."

Young Curtis responded, his hand in the cold water. "What Twobit."

"...What you doing?"

"Seriously? That's how you're gonna persuade me to talk?"

Steve grinned, "It's either talk now or face your beloved brother back at home."

Ponyboy frowned at the mention of Sodapop, he was in no mood to see him. Twobit noticed his expression and sat down on the edge of the fountain, "I now you're pissed off Pony, but you have to face this now or later."

Ponyboy stared at Keith, it was weird when he got so serious. It wasn't like him, he was usually the one to joke around never taking things seriously. This was really taking a toll on everyone. Pony gazed up at the sky wishing he had Johnny to talk to but he was thousands miles away fighting for his life. He also wished his Mom and Dad were alive, they'd know a solution to all this. If they were alive none of this would be happening in the first place. Steve slapped his back gently perceiving his emotions. Something softened in Steve.

"Even though I'm also royally pissed at your God damned brother I agree with bird brain over here."

Twobit pushed him playfully, "I am older so I have more knowledge unlike you two young ones..."

Ponyboy barked out a laugh, "Cut the crap Twobit. You barely made it out of high school!"

"Barely! Still I graduated so HA! I suggest you obey me. Remember, respect your elders child! That includes you too Steve."

"Oh, I'll you show some respect-"

Ponyboy stood up wiping his wet hand on his sweater. What Twobit has said was true. He had to face this now because If he waited for later everything would get much worse. Narrowing his eyes at the directions to his house, I'm going back but not for Soda. Only for Darry. He's probably worried sick. And because I live there... Steve gripped his shoulder reassuringly, "You can stay at my place if you want."

Shaking his head, "Thanks but I have to do this. Twobit, I'll walk alone if you don't mind. I have to clear my head before heading inside."

Steve and Twobit looked at each other, they agreed silently. No Socs in sight, his house was real close so they guessed it was okay for him to walk alone. Randle gestured for Twobit to go, Pony gave them a small smile thanking them. The two Greasers ended up at a bar forgetting everything for a short while until morning. Curtis slowly made his way home in no hurry. Nervousness filled his stomach as well as anger when the image of Sodapop in the living room swirled in his mind. That combination was not well.

Why did he even bother to come back? Does he think I'm gonna forgive him for leaving me? Does he think I was going back to the old days just cause he suddenly appeared? He was thinking of what he was going to say, his reaction, Sodapop's point of view. Pony made a mental note to write very early in the morning tomorrow to tell the news to Johnny. He needed his friend's opinion. Golly Johnny, you have no idea how much I need you right now.

Reaching the familiar porch steps walking up to the door he took a deep breath calming himself down. Inside the lights were on as two low voices coming from the living room. Twisting the doorknob he opened the door making a low creak.

Darry and Sodapop, who had been talking for the past hour in the kitchen, snapped their heads around seeing their younger brother going into the living room plopping himself on the couch. Darry took a minute before clearing his throat gaining attention. Ponyboy was ready to face this, he arched an eyebrow upwards as Darry began speaking in a calm tone with a hint of anxiousness.

"It's obvious we need to talk about this. The three of us. Things need to be explained. But we need to be calm," Darry sighed seeing his younger brother's scowl, "I am just as surprised as you are Pone which is why we are going to talk this out."

Sodapop didn't take his eyes off of Pony, he was as nervous as everybody else in the room so he started, "Pony, you're probably upset because I showed up like this."

Ponyboy contained in his frustration a little longer until it was his turn to talk.

"And yeah, it was very wrong for me to run away. It was just something I had to do. You wouldn't understand."

His younger brother gritted his teeth, Maybe if you had told me I would!

"I decided to come back home," Soda paused for a moment, "I thought you would be thrilled to see me again..."

Those last words were what made Pony snap, "Happy? Happy? Holy shit Sodapop! Did you really think I would be happy to see you again? After all this time?"

Soda winced at his harshness, "I-I-"

"Well surprise surprise! I'm not! It's the complete opposite..."

Darry pressed his lips into a straight line knowing what his little brother was about to say.

"I hate you," Ponyboy growled.

Sodapop's mouth slightly opened, his eyes got teary repeating Pony's words in his head once then twice.

I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.

He looked down at the floor feeling like someone had thrown him a bucket of ice cold water over his body. He couldn't believe his brother had said that. His baby brother who he loved dearly hates him. The boy who came back from the hospital in his mother's arms loving him looking up at him loving him instantly as he stared down at those big green eyes. His brother Ponyboy Curtis, hated him.

Soda swallowed a lump in his throat, standing up the sound of the chair scraping was the loudest thing in the house. He averted his eyes from Pony and ran to his old room closing the door quietly. Darry stood there torn between going to Soda or staying with Pony. It was such a painful debate. In the end, Pony waved him off letting him know he could go after Soda. He didn't care being alone, he was used to it by know.

Darry sighed sadly seeing how everything has ended up. When he got inside Soda's room Ponyboy sat on the couch placing his face into his hands. The look on Soda's face after he had revealed his feelings made him feel somewhat bad but he also felt glad. He groaned, he just had to come back. After all I went through... I was finally getting better he had to come back...

Wiping his eyes furiously with his arm, Pony hurried to his room. He could hear the voices of his brothers as he passed by talking fervently. Shutting the door he slid down to the floor. A storm took over his mind and soul. Tears finally slid down his cheeks. Pony had finally been able to pick up the pieces Soda left shattered and now they were scattered again. The love Pony used to have towards Soda which was more than he could show had faded away.

oOoOoOo

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)

Poor Soda. He had this coming anyway. Let's see what happens next...

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