Darry paused in a pensive state. Of course he knew what was best for Sodapop. Or at least he thought he did. He was only twenty years old. He was the best sense of it that he was sure Sodapop would get, as far as he was concerned. Sodapop was a good kid with a great personality, but his passion and devotion to those he loved sometimes hindered him from making good decisions. He'd kill someone to protect Ponyboy. Darry loved him a whole lot, but he needed to look out for him.

He snapped back into reality, and shook his head slowly while still holding Sodapop's shoulders. Sodapop's dark eyes carefully followed him.

"No...No, Sodapop. You're goin' home whether you like it or not. Come on."

He stood up with a firm grip on one of Sodapop's shoulders, but he shook it away. Darry tried to read him, but it was impossible. His normally honey colored eyes were a dark chocolate color and blazing with anger and sadness. He couldn't meet them. He felt horrible.

Sodapop put his fist up in protest and Darry braced himself for his words. It hurt coming from Sodapop, because he was always right. Just not now.

He opened his mouth and almost began to yell, unclenched his fist and looked at his feet. Steve raised his eyebrows and looked from Darry and Sodapop, wondering what was about to happen. He had never seen Sodapop defy Darry. He had never seen Darry put Sodapop in the position to defy him.

Without a word, he walked away.

He took a small step forward as Two-Bit and Steve led him to the door. Ponyboy was stirring and Sodapop looked back at him.

"Soda..." Darry started, hoping to further explain that this was best for him and Ponyboy. That it was better for Sodapop's sanity that he doesn't watch Ponyboy suffer until he got better. That Ponyboy wouldn't get better if Sodapop was always crying and scaring him.

Darry placed a hand on Sodapop's wrist and Sodapop shook him loose. Darry was stunned at how curtly he did so.

"I can't believe you," Soda said, angry and sad all at oncee.

He was holding back tears and it killed Darry that he was responsible. Steve shook his head in disbelief and Two-Bit rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

Before they left, Darry stopped Two-Bit and Steve. "Listen, you can bring him back here after work tomorrow. Don't let him think about it too much. I'll call y'all in the morning." They nodded, and promptly followed Sodapop.

Sodapop rambled on and on in the hallway. They ignored him and let him speak his piece. Finally, Two-Bit stopped him.

"Shoot, Sodapop. You're on fire. Pony'll be better before you know it. He's a tough kid. We don't keep him around for nothin'."

"That's not the point. I should be there with him. I'm his brother, after all."

Two-Bit scoffed. "Then what's Darry?"

"Stubborn," Sodapop mused.

"Heck, so are you. You're more alike than y'all think."

Steve nodded. "Yeah, Soda. The kid isn't gonna get better with you there all night. Darry makes a point."

Sodapop rolled his eyes. "I thought you were my buddies. I thought friends agree with each other."

"Not all the time."

Sodapop shook his head. "It kills me to be away from him. Can't Darry see that?"

"He's just trying to do what's best for both of you," Two-Bit said. "Cut Superman a break."

"I can't this time."

"I think you'll thank him in the long run," Steve said.

"Bull shit. I'll never forgive him."

The drama! Thanks for reading :)