"B-but, Darry..." I could already feel the tears welling up.

"Now, Ponyboy!" He spoke with authority; he knows I usually comply when he uses that tone.

But when I still didn't move, he landed a sharp smack to my behind propelling me forward - to get me moving.

"Ow!" I cried out, and walked slowly to the couches arm, stopping in front of it, as tears slowly began to fall. Darry held my upper arm and gently guided me over the leather arm, then rested one of his hands on my lower back, but brought the other hand down hard on my backside. I gasped at the sudden sting.

He bought his hand down again just as hard as the first. Then he landed three more, if not harder than the first two, each one making me cry out.

"You wanna tell me what you were thinkin', kid," I flinched at his sharp tone, as he continued smacking me. "because for starters your underage, and have you forgotten that both Soda and I specifically told you to never touch beer, or has that just somehow slipped your mind," he wasn't yelling, but his tone was firm.

"And, have you also forgotten that the state likes to make their 'surprise' visits unannounced whenever they feel the need to do so, or has that slipped your mind too."

"I-I'm s-sorry," I cried, as he still held a firm hand to my lower back.

"Ponyboy you really need to wake up and start thinking, and pull your head from the clouds, cause one stupid stunt like that could cost you your future," he moved from my bottom, landing half a dozen well placed swats to my sensitive sit-spots, before stopping.

"Oh, and also your grounded Pony, for a week, no arguments."

"A w-whole week, but that's not fair." I stuttered, through sobs.

A particularly hard smack landed on my backside, at my protest. "Ponyboy, I said no arguments, or it'll be two weeks, understand?" I nodded.

I stayed over the couch sobbing into the rough leather, before burying my face into a cushion. The burning in my backside was intense.

"Hush," Darry spoke softly, as he rubbed my back. "It's ok now, Ponyboy."

Darry helped me up, once my sobs had eventually died down. He told me to take a seat, saying he wanted to take a look at my finger. I winced as I sat, feeling the immense sting in my bottom.

"B-but... I-it's fine, Darry," I whined, squirming unsuccessfully trying to find a comfy spot.

Darry took a seat beside me. "Sit still," he scolded, gently, "and that maybe so, but I still want to take a look."

I sighed, sniffing, and gingerly held my hand out. He held it in his large, calloused hand, unwrapping the bandage from my finger. Then inspected the cut.

"It doesn't look too bad," he said, as he gently moved my finger - side to side, examining the stitches. "But you know, none of this would have happened, if you'd just done as you were told."

So... Soda had told him about the unfinished chores; is there anything he didn't leave out.

I hung my head, not saying anything. I don't know if he expected a reply, or not... but if he did, he didn't get it.

He glanced at me for a moment, before sighing lightly, then stood up.

"Wait here, Pony." He disappeared into the bathroom only to return seconds later with the hydrogen peroxide, he smeared some on the cut and re-bandaged it.

Soda called from the kitchen, that dinner was indeed ready. I stood up from my position on the couch, to make my way for the kitchen. As I passed through the doorway, the smell of chocolate hit me. I sucked in a deep breath, hmm-hm... definitely chocolate.

I looked across the kitchen, and there on the stove sat a plate piled high with chocolate pancakes - how I hadn't smelt them before, I don't know. Maybe the stress of worrying blocked my senses.

I wondered mindlessly if the pancakes were somehow... like, a peace offering - from Soda, for telling Darry.

I strolled casually over to the stove, so to not attract any attention - I had to have a taste, just a small bite, they smelled too good not to. I reached my hand out, only having just touched the top pancake, when I was caught. Soda smacked my hand, not hard, but hard enough to get my attention, and gave me a small grin.

"Go, sit down... and wait till I put them on the table first."

I gave him my best puppy eyes, a look that he normally can't resist, and watched as his grin widened into a smile, that was a good sign. But I was shocked, when he still didn't give in.

"Go, on... go sit down," he chuckled, nudging me gently towards the chair. I stuck my lower lip out at him, but sat down anyway. By the time he placed the pancakes on the centre of the table, I was practically drooling. Finally, both my brothers were seated. I helped myself to the two off the top, drowned them in maple syrup, then virtually inhaled them.

"Don't eat so fast, your gonna make yourself sick." Darry warned, before talking another bite.

I immediately helped myself to a third, drowning it in syrup again. These sure were good pancakes; but everything made with chocolate taste good. I bet even brussel sprouts could taste good, if they were covered with chocolate, but... I'll keep that thought to myself...

After polishing the third one off, my plate was left with the remaining maple syrup. I ran my finger through it, scooping up the mess, and licked it from my finger; earning myself a not-to-pleased glare from Darry, he should be thankful I wasn't licking it from the plate.

Once I was satisfied I'd indulged every last drop of syrup, I placed my plate into the sink. Then headed for the front door, for a smoke.

"Where you goin' kiddo? Don't wander to far, your grounded remember?" Darry reminded me, like I had already forgotten.

I scowled. "Just to the porch... don't worry, I ain't gonna run away anywhere." I added a little too sarcastically.

"No need for the lip, kiddo. Don't be too long," he warned. I rolled my eyes, as I headed outside.

I took a seat on the step, and lit a smoke. There was a nice cool breeze blowing now that the sun had set. I puffed on my cigarette looking out into the dark night, the wind was blowing through the trees letting them make a whooshing sound, I could hear an owl hooting very faintly in the distance, and most of the houses still had their lights on; their occupants getting ready to turn in for the night.

I heard the screen door open and close softly behind me; I knew it was Soda without even having turn around. He took a seat beside me and hesitantly placed his arm around my shoulders.

"Whatcha doin' out here, kiddo?" He whispered, softly.

"Nothin'." I mumbled, but didn't look at him. I kept my stare out into the darkened sky. I was still slightly angry at him for telling Darry about today; even with his attempt at make up, with the pancakes. It was like he could read my mind, cause he looked at me and spoke up again.

"You know I had to tell him, baby... it was either one of us says something, or... he'd find out through someone else. I thought it'd be better him hearing it from us."

"Well it wasn't Soda, cause now I'm grounded for a whole week, plus he tanned me." I grumbled and threw my cigarette butt over the porch railing.

"Your lucky that's all you got, kiddo. Cause he was goin' to go in there and give you his belt. I had a talk to him, and he decided not to this time... but, if it happens again you'll get it no questions asked."

I stared at my lap, and felt my vision blur - why was life so unfair... why is it that, I'm the one that's always getting the blame... or, in trouble. I sniffed back some unwanted tears, silently hoping Soda would leave, so I could be left alone. I wanted to dwell in my own misery - have my own pity party... but that didn't look like it was about to happen.

Soda rubbed my back, slowly, as he watched me.

"It's ok," he sighed, softly.

I pouted, as more tears slid their way down my cheeks.

"Do you wanna call it a night?"

I shook my head, vaguely; unsure if he noticed.

He chuckled, lightly, "Your pouting like a puppy."

I looked up at him, with my big sad eyes. "N-no, I'm not."

He gave me a warm smile, and pulled me to his chest, rubbing his hands up and down my bare arms. It was getting pretty cold out now, and my muscle top wasn't exactly keeping me warm. I leaned further into Soda's chest, content with the heat from him, and gave a tired yawn, feeling sudden sleepiness take over.

Minutes passed, couldn't say how many - my mind was in the state of sleep, listening to Soda's soft rising and falling of his chest, but the sound of his voice vibrating in his chest, shocked me awake.

"C'mon... it's getting late."

I sighed sleepily, as he gently guided me away from his chest. As he stood up, he kept a hold on me, then pulled me up. I let him steer me into the house, and down to our bedroom.

"Here, put these on." Soda said, handing me my pyjama bottoms. I undressed and shrugged the baggy red checkered pants on, then headed to the bathroom, once I was done I climbed into bed. Soda following not even minutes after, flicking off the bedside lamp.

"Soda?" I whispered, into the dark.

I felt him roll over, onto his side, facing my back.

"Yeah?"

The room fell silent, as Soda waited for me to talk. Soda's always been an easy listener, he never pushes me to talk, but he knows I'll always come to him if I need to.

"S-soda... umm, I'm sorry..."

"What for, Pony?" His tone light, sounding unsure. He rubbed his hand on my back, as I answered.

"For, umm... talking back, and ah... d-drinking." I responded, my voice trailing off at the end so low, I wasn't even sure if he had heard me.

But, I heard him lightly sigh from behind me. "Hmm... well, I do appreciate the apology... but Ponyboy, these aren't habits you need to be picking up, ok?... Though, I'm sure Darry and I made that quite clear today," he sighed deeply. "Just don't let this behaviour continue... or, you know what you'll get," he said, tapping me lightly on the backside for emphasise.

I swallowed hard and nodded.

He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer into his chest and rested his chin at the top of my head. I sighed deeply, feeling the fatigue from before creep up again, and closed my eyes.

"Soda?" I whispered.

"Yeah?" he answered, sleepily.

"Love you, Soda."

"Love you too, kiddo."

Then all I heard was soft even breathing and knew he was asleep. I snuggled closer to him and let his soft breaths lull me to sleep.

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Bella Lilac