Not even two seconds later the bedroom door flung wide open with such force, that I heard the wooden door knob smash into the painted drywall, then I heard the dreaded sound of a buckle jingling. I held the covers down over me with as much force as I had in me, but it was nothing compared to Darry - he ripped the bedding from my hands, throwing it almost entirely off the bed. Then grabbed me by my legs, turned me onto my stomach and dragged me so I was lying over the edge of the bed, as I kicked and screamed the whole time. Then slammed the belt down onto my backside, I screamed.

I still had an immense stinging from the spanking I had received yesterday, when Darry had laid into me, and I can still barely sit from that. Having your butt blistered, when it's still fresh from the last one, is really painful.

"I am fed up with your attitude and behaviour today." He yelled, before landing the belt for the second time, I screamed again.

"When I tell you to do something, you do it." He yelled again. Then brought the belt down again, and again.

I grabbed ahold of the fitted sheet tightly in my fists, and sobbed with my face buried into the bed.

"I took today off for you, and you have been nothin' but disrespectful." He yelled, slamming the belt down again. Then brought it down twice more, before yelling at me to get in bed. I scrambled up onto the bed, as tears flooded my eyes, and sobs racked through my body. I crawled across the bed, getting to the left side as far away from Darry as possible, and lay down on my stomach, burying my face into the soft pillow. I felt the blankets been thrown roughly over me, not pulled up or tucked around me, just thrown on.

"You stay there." His tone had a definite authority, then his heavy footsteps walked out the door.

My backside was burning, and throbbing painfully.

The pillow was dampened from my heavy flow of tears, as I cried loud shuddering sobs. Time felt like an eternity, but couldn't have been more than ten minutes.

I heard Soda's voice fill the room, a hint of disappointment to his tone. "Hey kiddo, heard you been causin' some trouble."

I took a shuddering breath, but didn't answer. I felt the bed sink beside me, and his heavy hand resting on my back.

"Darry told me what happen', he left with the truck for some groceries, won't be back for another hour." He paused, and gave my back a light tap. "So you gonna tell me what happen." He spoke calmly, but with authority in his tone.

I leaned up a little looking at him, as I wiped the tears at my eyes, then noticed the time on the clock behind him, it was only quarter past two. He had to have only just walked in the door, and by lookin' at him he hadn't even had time to wash up. His hand that lay rested to the top of his thigh, was still covered in the grease he hadn't been able to wipe off with a rag at work, no doubt his other hand on my back looked the same, and a large grease smudge lay across his forehead leading up to his hair line, and a couple smudges across his cheeks. Not to mention his clothes being covered.

"He kept makin' me go to bed, I didn't wanna. I'm not tired Soda, I'm bored." I whined.

He sighed, and rubbed his somewhat stained hand tiredly on his forehead. "You know he was only lookin' out for you kiddo." He paused, as he glanced down at me. "He was pretty worried about you, we both were. You know you can go to hospital with an infection like you had, but Darry went an' cleaned it up for you so you didn't have to, he cares a lot about you kiddo, you need to know that."

"But, he didn't have to keep makin' me go to bed." I pouted, with my teary eyes looking at him.

"Like I said, he was only try'na look out for you." He said, then stood up. "I'm gonna go grab a shower, wash this grease off me." He started toward the door, then stopped and turned back to me. "Has Darry checked your stitches, yet?"

I shook my head.

"Alright, I'll check them when I get out, and then you are gonna have a sleep."

I pouted at his back, as he walked out the door, with a couple seconds later I heard the shower water running. I didn't doubt soda when he says I'm gonna sleep, cause I knew he'd get me to sleep if he tried. His like that though, he can get anyone to do just about anything if he puts his mind to it. About five minutes later I heard the water shut off, then a towel clad Soda came into the room, holding the first aid kit. He put the kit on the bedside table, and grabbed a pair of jeans shrugging them on, then sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I'm just gonna take a look at your arm, kiddo." He said, taking a gentle hold of my left arm. He unwrapped the bandage, and inspected the stitches. I watched from the position on my stomach as he opened the first aid kit, took out an ointment, and poured some onto a clean wipe, and dabbed it carefully onto the stitches, then re-wrapped a new bandage around my arm.

He threw the used wipe into the paper waist basket, and placed the ointment on the bedside table, then he climbed over the top of me to the other side of the bed and laid down next to me, throwing his arm across my back.

"I don't wanna sleep, Soda." I complained, as I tried wiggling out from under his arm.

He moved his arm from my back, and smacked his hand down on my stinging butt, making me slightly jump.

"Oww!" I yelped.

"Well then, lay still." He said, firmly.

I sighed, and shuffled back to the spot I had been laying in, and turned my head so I was facing Soda.

"Soda?" I whispered.

"Yeah?"

"When Darry told me to go to bed this morning, I hunted around for that blade Dally had gave me, I couldn't find it. Do you know the one, it had that really nice wood handle on it?"

"Yeah, I remember the one. You know I was wonderin' what happen' in here... I thought maybe Darry had let loose some wild dogs, an' they tore up the place." There was a slight gleam in his eyes and a hint of a smirk playing on his lips as he spoke. "But now I find out it ain't 'em wild dogs we gotta worry 'bout, it's 'em wild grease kids you really needa watch out for. I think we outta teach 'em a lesson 'bout messin' with our room, whatta ya think Pon?" His smirk grew into a large grin, and I could just tell by the look in his eyes, that I knew what was comin'.

"No, Soda." I whined out his name.

Then without warning Soda leapt up from his spot, and pinned me down, an' began tickling me wildly all over, running his fingers along my sides and under my chin.

"Soda!" I screamed, as I squirmed around laughing.

I couldn't stop laughing as I begged him to stop, tears forming in my eyes.

"There, I think that outta teach 'em a lesson." He laughed, as he finally gave up the tickling rampage. "This mess had better get cleaned, otherwise I might hav'ta get the wild dogs after ya." He said, smacking my butt lightly, and dropped back down beside me. I gave him a pout, makin' him laugh again.

"What, you asked for it kiddo," he said with a grin, as he threw his arm around me again. "and now I want you to close your eyes."

"But, I'm not tired Soda." I said, looking at him across from my pillow.

"That's alright, just shut 'em anyway." He spoke gently.

I closed my eyes, and Soda pulled me into his chest. I snuggled into him, placing my head against his ribs just below his underarm. My backside was throbbing painfully, but I tried to ignore that and focus on Soda's hushed whispers to lull me, and the soothing gentle strokes he drew along my back, putting me to sleep within a few minutes.

The next thing I know I'm being gently shaken awake.

"Pony?" I faintly heard my name being called - as if a great distance away - along with another gentle shake.

"Pony, wake up kiddo. Dinners ready." Soda's soft tone cut through my dream, and I opened my eyes slowly, still feeling sleepy of just have'n been woken up.

"Hm, what time is it?" I asked, in a half awake sleepy tone.

"It's almost quarter past six." He said, as he knelt down on the edge of the bed, then laughed. "And I thought you said you weren't tired, you've been out for almost three an a half hours."

"Hmm... well, I wasn't tired then." I moaned.

"Sure you weren't, kiddo." Soda chuckled softly, "Come on, dinners ready now." He repeated, rubbing my upper-back affectionately.

A sharp throb to my backside, brought me back to the earlier events. "Umm, Soda..." I started hesitantly but stopped there, unsure of how to say what I was thinking.

He waited expectantly for me to continue, but when I didn't he prompted me. "Yeah, kiddo?"

"Umm..." I turned my head slightly and blinked up at my brother with a slight puppy look. "I don't think I can eat dinner tonight."

He gave me a confused look, and paused mid-rub on my shoulder blade - that lasted a whole second - as he read my mind, understanding my meaning - a grin quickly swept into place replacing his brief confusion. "Sure you can, we'll take a pillow in for you to sit on." He stood up, and grabbed the pillow from under my head, and pulled me up by my arm.

"Soda..." I complained of being pulled from my bed, but followed behind him into the kitchen where Darry was dishing out plates of food; a pile of coleslaw sat on each plate along with chicken and mash potato.

I watched as Darry gave Soda a side glance as he placed the pillow on a chair for me, then he turned his direction toward me. I returned him with a scowl.

He gave me a warning look with raised eyebrows. I turned my glare away from Darry, and went to sit on the cushioned chair - as soon as my backside touched the seat, it felt almost as though my blistering flesh had been placed to a red-hot iron. I immediately jumped back up with a yelp - even with the soft pillow I couldn't sit.

"Ponyboy, sit back down!" Darry scolded me.

"I can't." I let that word roll of my tongue as whiny as I could muster.

"Sit. Down. Now." He said, clearly punctuating each word, with a warning glare that told me I'd better do as he says, or else. I knew that look, and knew I'd better obey. I slowly sat down, again, with a grimace while squirming unsuccessfully on the pillow to get comfy.

I looked at my plate full with food, and ignoring the fork on the side of my plate, I began picking at my chicken with my fingers, placing it in my mouth.

"Use your fork." Darry's voice came from across the table, we sat around.

Scowling down towards my plate, I glanced my eyes up to see Darry looking right at me, with a not so pleased expression. Jeez, what's his problem today, can't he just leave me alone for once.

I turned my eyes back down toward my plate, with a small smirk playing on my lips. I picked up a piece of cabbage from my coleslaw, put it between my teeth - biting down on it to make that crunching sound - glancing my eyes back up at Darry I could see he was staring right at me.

"Ponyboy, that's enough!" His deep voice took its parental tone to it.

I felt a hard nudge to my leg under the table, come from my left, and glanced at Soda. He shook his head slightly with an expression that read, 'Don't push it.' I gave a small pout and turned back to my dinner in front of me that I'd barley touched.

I must of been game, or stupid, to be pushing Darry like I was after just receiving the punishment I had yesterday and the belting before. I'm sure anyone else would probably pick the latter one; but either way, he was just getting under my skin.

I placed my elbow on the table top, leaning my chin into the palm of my hand - giving Darry another quick glance, I noticed his eyes hadn't left me. I immediately turned my eyes back down toward my plate, scowling again. I ran my finger along the edge of my dinner plate - knowing both sets of eyes were watching me, but I didn't really care.

I began prodding at a piece of chicken that was near the edge of my plate, contemplating if I was game to push Darry any further - what was his problem anyway, there's no law to say not to eat with your fingers, none that I heard of anyway.

I slowly picked the chicken up, knowing full well he was watching my every move. I had it about half way to my mouth, when Darry jump up from his chair and leaned across the table, he grabbed my wrist and landed a firm smack on the back of my hand with his other hand.

"Ponyboy Curtis, that's your last warning. Do that again, and I'll give you a reminder of what my belt feels like. Understood?" Darry warned, as he held direct eye contact with me. I only had two choices... behave or belt.

I couldn't help my pout, as I nodded - with my lower lip slightly quivering. I drew my lip back, biting down on it gently with my teeth, to try stop it.

Darry let go of my wrist and sat back down in his chair to finish his dinner. I rubbed the back of my hand where he had hit, it hurt.

"Good, now pick your fork up and eat." I obeyed, grabbing my fork. I ate half my dinner, scraping the rest into the trash before heading out onto the front porch.

I stood by the railing on the front steps, pulling my pack of smokes and lighter from my pocket, then lit one up. I leaned my arms over the rail, and inhaled a deep suck from my smoke, then held it before releasing it into the warm nights air.

I was almost half way through my cigarette, before I heard the screen door open then close from behind me - no guesses for who it was though.

"Hey, kiddo... you ok?" Soda asked, coming over and standing beside me.

I nodded, then took another drag from my smoke.

We both stood silently for a few moments, just watching out into the dark front yard; listening to the night crickets as they hummed their musical sound, and the gentle rustling of the trees as the light winds breezed through their branches. It was peaceful for once.

On a normal night, you could hear a car every once in a while, making out as if our neighbourhood roads are some kinda rally racetrack. Then down to the angry screams we could hear coming from the Cade's house. Johnny's parents never let up on their yelling even after his death, they were cold hearted people. They make me sick.

I threw the remnants of my smoked cigarette over the railing, and sighed calmly, as I enjoyed this rare opportunity of the warm night air in silence... that is, until Soda decided to ruin the moment...

"So... you gonna tell me what happen' at dinner?"

I remained silent as his eyes were still fixed out into the front yard, looking deep in thought - maybe hoping that whatever it was he was staring at, might give him the answer. But I knew the darkened night would not find the response he was looking for.

"Pony?" He pushed again for an answer.

I broke my glance from the yard and turned towards Soda, and sighed deeply. He turned to face me with a concerned look, waiting on my answer.

"Why does he always have to be at me all the time?"

"Darry?"

"Who else... you know what, I'm fed up with constantly being told what to do and having him on my back about every little thing I do wrong."

"Don't be like that, kiddo. Listen, like I told you earlier he's only try'na look out for you. You know he doesn't mean anything by it, he cares a lot about you, Ponyboy. We both do."

"But..."

"No, listen, we don't want to see you get hurt, Pony... and also you know, your behaviour lately hasn't exactly been at it's best, has it?" He said firmly, raising his eyebrows.

I turned away from him, feeling defeated and buried my face in my folded over arms that lay over the top of the railing. I knew it wasn't Soda I was mad at, and maybe he was somewhat right about my behaviour, but even so... I sighed again probably for the millionth time that night.

"Hm sorry, Soda," my voice came out mumbled against my arms. I felt his hand come to rest on the middle of my back, before he lightly ran his fingers up and down.

"It's ok, kiddo," he spoke, softly. I closed my eyes, relaxing under his touch, as he continued to caress my back for a few more minutes.

I heard his sigh from above me, "C'mon, let's get you to bed."

He took a gentle hold of my arm, giving it a light tug making me look up at him. I leaned up from the rail, then followed him into the house.

As we passed the kitchen, Darry was still at the kitchen table, but there was no longer dinner plates around instead he was sorting through a pile of bills. I noticed Soda pause for a split second, then turn to me. "Pony, go get ready for bed. I'll be there in a minute."

"Alright." I watched for a second as he headed for the kitchen, then made my way for the bathroom. After I finished my teeth, I walked into my room, and noticed Soda hadn't come in yet. I grabbed my sleep pants from a pile of clothes that had been tossed carelessly onto the floor. I'm sure Darry will be at me again to get this room cleaned.

I changed, and threw my worn clothes onto the ever growing mountain, as I was just climbing into bed Soda walked into the room. "Hey kiddo!" he said, as I flopped down onto my stomach, "Hey," I said, then curled up onto my side, being careful not to touch my behind on the bed.

He threw on some pyjama pants, then climbed in beside me, wrapping his arm protectively around my chest. "What did you talk with Darry about?"

"Hmm... not much." He whispered from behind me.

"It can't of been not much, Soda. You were out there for ages."

"We were just talking, kiddo."

"Bout what?" I asked, curious as to what they were talking about, positive it was about me.

"Close you eyes, honey." His voice came out in a sleepy hush.

"Soda?"

"Shh... sleep," he whispered, placing a kiss to the top of my head. I sighed lightly, wanting to try asking again, but instead I closed my eyes feeling them getting heavy with sleepiness.

"Night, Soda." I whispered, followed by a wide, tired yawn.

"Goodnight, honey." Within seconds his breathing became lighter, not even a minute later I felt myself drift into the nights welcoming sleep.

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Bella Lilac

A/N - Thank you so much for all your lovely reviews, your support is much appreciated. Bella.