This is my first time using FFN and honestly the guidelines scare me... Anyways here's a story cross-posted from Ao3 to here!
"Don't walk home alone," Sodapop had told Ponyboy at the DX. Ponyboy needed to get back to school and Steve looked like he was at the end of his patience. "I'll go home with Steve."
Ponyboy had lied, after school Steve was going with Evie and lord knows where Two Bit was. He had left when they were at the DX for "errands". Sodapop was concerned but not even that changed Pony's mind.
"I'm going now, bye." He waved to Sodapop and walked to the car. "Took you long enough. I was bouta start pressin on the horn," Steve said as he backed out of the parking lot.
Johnny was gone from school, skipping someplace with Dally. This made Ponyboy have to sit in the front with Steve. It wouldn't be bad if Steve didn't have a personal vendetta against Ponyboy. Hell, they got into an argument somehow and Ponyboy had to walk the rest of the way to school.
He knew he shouldn't have smarted off Steve. I mean how stupid do you have to be to smart off your only ride?
Ponyboy hadn't thought that far and now he was stuck in a random place. It was a place with Socs. Lunch period hadn't ended yet and Ponyboy found himself being followed by two cars.
One was a pedestrian and the other was a soc- a whole group of them. Ponyboy started running, hoping to make it to class. The car almost hit him and he stumbles back.
"What the hell-" a middle-aged pedestrian said as they drove away. Now Pony knew who it was.
"Look at what the cat dragged in! Some greasy trash."
Already with the threats? Ponyboy thought but maybe he had said something because they tackled him. Ponyboy fought against the older boy on him. His chest was unable to withstand the body weight on top of him.
Ponyboy looked at the older boy. "Quiet now huh? If you're good then I won't kill you, maybe," the soc said before pulling out a blade. Ponyboy froze, everything in him yelling to run, fight, anything!
The soc put the knife to Ponyboy's neck, smiling as Pony's breath stopped for a moment. "Scared greaser? If there was water I'd give you a bath but for now, let's give you a haircut. And maybe a tattoo too."
TATTOO? Ponyboy mentally screamed. Two other socs came and pinned Ponyboy's arms down, giving him some punches while at it. His breath was already growing thin from the body weight. With a wheeze, the Soc cuts his neck.
Ponyboy screamed, the burning sensation quickly taking place. He saw the blood sputter out. "Let me apply some pressure to help you," the soc laughed before putting his hands on Ponyboy's neck. It helped the bleeding but it was meant to be a strangle.
Ponyboy was crying, fearing for his life before he was flipped over. The weight was gone and Pony took that to take a deep breath. Yet, relief didn't last long before he was kicked on the back.
Suddenly multiple people were kicking him, not allowing him to curl up. Let me pass out please, Ponyboy mentally begged himself. The pain grew, and with every new hit, Pony could practically see the bruises.
Then it was all over, someone yelled and the socs ran away. Ponyboy looked at who it was, but it wasn't anyone important. Just someone worried about cleaning up Ponyboy's blood from the concrete.
"Take this as a reminder," the soc flipped Ponyboy over and cut his wrists. Then before the person yelling could come any closer, the soc wrote something on his stomach. The knife burned with every letter, but Ponyboy couldn't fight.
They ran, leaving a bleeding Ponyboy on the ground. Ponyboy felt the regret fill himself and decided to walk home. He couldn't even put on his backpack from the new bruises on his back. When he arrived home and didn't see anyone he felt a sense of relief.
Quickly he hopped in the shower, making sure to gently clean all the cuts he had. He looked at his wrists, at the place the socs cut for him. It was disgusting so horrible. He almost threw up.
The cuts burned in the water, bleeding after he was out. Although with being out of the shower he was able to get a better look at himself. Bruises littered his body, cuts following, yet the writing on his stomach was the worst. In big ugly letters, it wrote "faggot" with each letter being deeper than the next.
Ponyboy mentally groaned when he got the first aid kit. He pondered about telling Darry but with the cuts Darry might send him to a boy's home. Ponyboy mentally panicked and worked on his wrists first. Grabbing the rubbing alcohol he poured too much.
Hissing in pain Ponyboy chokes back tears. Making sure to wrap his wrists Ponyboy picks out a long-sleeved dark shirt. With the shirt near him, Ponyboy starts working on the stomach wound.
Before he could clean it some blood dripped from his neck. Ponyboy looked at it and while mentally cringing, he grabbed the rubbing alcohol and cleaned it. Some not-very-okay words were said by Ponyboy, words that even Dallas would cringe at.
Ponyboy didn't know if he should've wrapped it, wondering if a bandage on his neck would be too suspicious. Sighing he bites the bullet and wraps his neck.
Now that his neck won't bleed on his stomach wound Ponyboy gets to work. While he was cleaning his neck the blood from his stomach started to leak out. The bathroom officially looked like a crime scene. Cringing, Ponyboy wraps his whole body with the gauze.
When all the wounds are covered he works on cleaning the bathroom. The bloody stained clothing that he cleans in the sink. When he thinks it's okay to put it in the washer he leaves it. Nothing scared him more than Darry finding out now.
Quickly Ponyboy worked on his homework, practicing how he would answer questions without showing his neck. It didn't take long for him to learn how to keep his head down. Soon, one of the gang members came by, Two-Bit.
He was only there for beer and cake. Trying to make small talk with Ponyboy but Pony was too busy with his work. Two-Bit left him and sat in the living room. Ponyboy finished his work and had a great idea.
Pony went to his room and got out a turtle-neck shirt. He made sure to find one with long sleeves and quickly made his way back. The other gang members started to come in. Soon enough dinner was being made.
No one really suspected anything as Ponyboy hid in the background with Johnny. "You good Pony?" Johnny asked quietly. Ponyboy nodded.
"I'm tired so I might just go to bed," Pony said and he yawned. Johnny didn't seem to take the excuse. "Are you sick?" "No why?" Ponyboy started to fear the others listening.
The table had gone quiet and the two perked their heads up. "Ponyboy… how was school?" Soda asked. "It was good…" Ponyboy didn't know if he should talk about being left by Steve or leave it. Taking the latter he just stops talking.
Darry looks at Ponyboy while Pony starts to go to his room. Ponyboy took a pit stop in the bathroom to check his injuries. He hated it but he made sure that the bandages were on correctly.
Finding a bottle of aspirin he took 5, swallowing them dry. Quickly making his way to bed afterward. Darry came in with Soda in tow, "Do you think he's sick?" Soda asked as Darry put his hand on Pony's forehead.
"He's not running a fever… let's just let him sleep. It's Friday so it'll be okay," Darry left Soda and Pony's room. Soda watched his brother carefully. Yet even under his watchful eye he couldn't help but fall asleep.
Ponyboy woke up in the afternoon.
"He's not okay Dar, we need to take him to the hospital," Pony heard Soda's hushed words. "W-was he that bad?" Johnny chimed in. "Kid didn't even eat much…" Dally added. Ponyboy decided to get up.
It was a bad idea because he saw the amount of blood on his side of the bed. Quickly ripping off the sheets there is a breath of relief when there is no blood stain. Ponyboy worked quickly, ignoring the throbbing in his head.
When he finally put the clothes and sheets in the washer, he relaxed. Ponyboy took a look at his injuries and fixed them up. He saw the few bandages in the first aid kit and sighed. Finishing re-dressing his wounds he decided to see the rest of the gang. Making his way to the living room he saw the gang sitting. Soda spotted him and hugged him.
"You good Pony? You don't feel hot or nothin…"
"I'm fine Soda, lay off," Ponyboy started to dodge Soda's hands. Soda pouted a bit but went back to the couch. "We were just worried Pony," Johnny said. Pony sighed, "I'm fine, I was just tired," Ponyboy smiled and went to the kitchen.
The gang watched him, all but Steve and Darry who were still gone. Ponyboy was happy about that but now he had Soda worried. Looking at the food Ponyboy sees that he doesn't want to eat.
"I think im going to go to back sleep," Ponyboy said as he tried to sneak by Soda. "Is your head hurting?" Soda asked rushing over. Ponyboy shrugged him off and went back to his room. Laying down he hears Soda come in.
"Did you wet the bed?" Soda joked as he noticed the new sheets. Ponyboy shook his head. "Just felt it was too dirty."
Soda hummed and sat near him. "What's wrong honey?" Soda brushed his hair with his fingers.
"Nothing I'm fine," Ponyboy responded as he tried not to close his eyes. If he did he had a feeling that Soda would check him. Again Soda hummed and sighed, "Just… tell me if there's something up Pony. I'm worried for ya."
With that Soda stayed near Ponyboy until Pony was called into the living room.
"Curly?" Ponyboy said as he looked at the guy in front of him. "Ponyboy! I heard about what happened yesterday, you goo-" Ponyboy cut him off.
"Let's go somewhere else," and with that, Ponyboy left without telling where he was going.
"What was that about?" Curly asked when they got near the lot. "I haven't told them," Pony said before he continued walking. "WHAT?" Curly practically yelled. "I saw you get cut up! How did they not see?"
With that Curly actually looked at Ponyboy. With the turtleneck, there was no visible sign of injury on him. "I'm weak… if it was anyone else-," Ponyboy looked down. "No baby Curtis, I saw them pin you down," Curly was going to add more but stopped and sighed.
"Can I at least properly fix you up?" It was a question but sounded more like a statement. "Won't Tim tell about me to Dally?" Curly looked at him, "I'm sure my bro can shut his mouth this once. You cleaned your injuries before right?" Curly asked.
"Yeah, they're bad though. Especially…" Pony paused again and thought about the cuts. "I'll tell your brothers where you are and I'll clean you up, savvy?"
"Savvy" Pony said before walking with Curly. They joked for a bit until making it to the Shepard's home. Curly walked to the landline they had and dialed the Curtis's house. "Yo Ponyboy is going to stay for a bit," there must've been some yelling before Curly hung up the phone.
"We have about ten minutes till they make it here. Wanna leave?" Ponyboy was going to answer before Tim stepped in. "Yo Dally said they're looking for you kid. Oh?" Curly rolled his eyes at Tim.
"If they come here say we went to the library or something," Curly said before walking to the door. "Why would I lie for you Curls?" Tim joked as he got near Ponyboy.
"So kid you didn't tell them? If you let me see I'll hold your gang off."
Pony looked to Curly and he begrudgingly took off his bandage from his stomach. "Glory-" Curly looked like he was about to throw up. "You're gonna have a killer scar, let's see what it says-" Tim read it out and after every syllable, he said the word.
"I'm calling a rumble," Ponyboy looked at Tim scared. "Do you know the guys that roughed you up?" Ponyboy shook his head, he wasn't lying. Tim sighed and looked at Curly.
"Think we can get the guys to find out who did it? It's been getting boring here," Tim said to Curly. Curly nodded but led Ponyboy to the bathroom.
"Let's fix you up now," and with that Ponyboy had new bandages. Curly looked at his wrist and furrowed his brow. Tim was there but was there to help Curly learn.
"Did you do this to yourself baby Curtis?" Curly asked. Ponyboy shook his head, the cuts burning. "Glory," Tim looked over and took over. "They're deep too, I wonder how they didn't hit an artery n kill ya," Tim was just like Dally.
That comment about his death made Pony freeze. If he had died Darry would've surely found a reason to blame Pony. As if jinxing something there was a knock on the Sheperd's door. "Tim!" Angela yelled, "It's the Curtises- both of them!"
Tim finished wrapping up Pony's arm and made his way. Ponyboy took a moment but followed as well. Making sure that his bandages weren't visible.
"Ponyboy!" Soda yelled before hugging him tightly. Ponyboy bit his tongue to keep himself from wincing. "Glory kid, you scared me!" Soda was looking at Pony worried and Darry was glaring.
"I dragged him here," Curly stepped in. Darry took his glare from Pony to Curly. Soda perked up from Pony. "The gang saw you-" Tim interrupted Soda.
"There's gonna be a rumble soon." Darry tensed up. "What happened?"
"Some kid got beat up bad. A greaser kid. We're gonna fight for him, you dig?"
Darry nodded, oblivious to the hurt kid next to him. Ponyboy went home with them, the walk home being silent. Soda tried to start a conversation, but Ponyboy's head hurt too much.
It didn't help that Pony didn't eat breakfast or lunch. The time was closer to dinner and Ponyboy cringed at the thought of eating. Flexing his arms hurt, sitting in bed hurt, breathing hurt, and he couldn't tell his gang.
Soda knew something was up. Yet, he allowed Ponyboy to go to their room and sleep. Ponyboy took him up on that offer but woke up the second he felt his turtle neck slip up.
"What are you doing?" Pony asked as he moved away from Soda. Soda looked sad, angry, hurt, but most of all betrayed. "Pony- you're hurt…"
Ponyboy shook his head, instantly trying to gaslight Soda. "I ain't."
"LIAR" Soda started yelling, "why… why didn't you tell us?" tears fell from Soda's eyes. Ponyboy looked down but then at the door when it opened. Steve looked at Sodapop.
"When… how long have you had these injuries?" Soda's voice was strong now. Pony's voice was lost, Steve seemed to be glaring at him. "I'm fine Soda! Really! I just uhm…" Ponyboy's voice faltered again.
Soda started to cry again. Steve stepped in and hugged him, "Couldn't even defend yourself runt?" Steve's words hurt. They stung, making Ponyboy panic. He needed to run- to escape. And he did, by getting up he looked at his window and ran out of it. "PONYBOY!" Soda's voice yelled for him.
Ponyboy ran, not caring about how much it hurt to run. He ran to the lot and hid. Everything hurt, he couldn't breathe from his broken ribs. Soda knew now, and that made Ponyboy want to cry. Steve was the one that left him… why did he have to suffer for it?
"PONY!" A voice yelled, then it was followed by 5 other voices. He perked his head up and watched as the gang came over to him. Darry's eyes were softened, and worry filled them.
Pony wanted to run, to cry, to be able to breathe normally. "Pony…" Soda was crying. Ponyboy's breath picked up, it hurt but he couldn't breathe!
He was looking for an exit and before he could find one Soda held him. "Ponyboy, honey, baby, please… show me," Soda's arms were rough, holding Ponyboy.
"Let's go home," Darry chimed in, "if it's as bad as the Shepards say then it's going to be horrible."
Ponyboy mentally cursed out Curly and Tim. He wanted to be angry at Soda but Soda's eyes were hurt. They were red and puffy, this was Ponyboy's second time running. They walked back home in silence until a car came up to them.
Ponyboy recognized the car, his breath picking up again. "LOOK ITS THE DIRTY GREASERS! Awwww has he been crying? Check his wrists!" A bunch of different voices came from the car.
The last sentence caught Darry and Soda off guard. Dally scared the socs off and they made it back to the Curtis house. "Ponyboy, take off your shirt."
It was a demand from Darry. Ponyboy froze in dread. They were going to see Curly's bad bandaging skills, yet he obliged. The bandages had some blood on them indicating that they were still bleeding. Presumably from the running he just did.
Soda and Darry got to work taking off the bandages. They froze at the sight, even Dallas looked away. Ponyboy wanted to cry, he wanted to run away.
"Baby- how did this happen?" Soda's voice cracked up. "I-I was walking alone in a place full of socs…" Ponyboy's voice was meek and timid.
Steve breathed in quickly. "Was it that day-"
"The day you left me out on the road to walk back home?" Ponyboy finished his sentence. Instantly Darry stood up, Soda looked at Steve angrily.
"Are you sayin my kid brother is hurt because you left him?" Darry's voice was loud. Dally came and helped Soda take off the bandages from Pony's wrists.
"Did you- did you do this to yourself?" Soda asked scared. "What!?" Pony backed up, "Why would I do this to myself?"
"You've told me before… that you wouldn't mind dying…" Johnny spoke up. Soda's breath hitched. Darry even quieted down from yelling at Steve.
Now the attention was all on Pony. He hated it though. The looks of worry, especially from Soda's face. Soda hugged Ponyboy, tight. As if he would disappear in front of him if he didn't.
Ponyboy didn't cry, he was tired of crying. He looked at Soda and hugged him back, "I'm sorry…"
When Soda pulled away blood was littered on his shirt. The words on Ponyboy's stomach were clear. "I'm going to fucking kill that soc," Soda said. Darry didn't reprimand Soda for language because that's what everyone was thinking.
Soon, Ponyboy was back in his bed. New bandages and a bottle of aspirin next to his bed. "Pony… did you change the sheets because you bled on them?" Soda was in the doorway.
Ponyboy didn't know how to answer so he just nodded. "I'm sorry Soda… I- I just don't want to be seen as weak. Or- or like you have to watch me all the time."
"Well with that stunt you're not going to be alone for quite a while," Darry said, coming seemingly out of nowhere. Ponyboy sighed and allowed himself to relax on the pillows.
"in the morning we're gonna have a long talk," Darry walked by Pony's side of the bed. "If I'm alive by then," Pony joked but Darry almost hit him.
When Ponyboy flinched, Darry broke down. "Please baby, don't ever say that again."
Soda walked by and hugged both of them. "A talk is really going to be needed… tomorrow though. Tonight we already have a talk," Soda let go and Darry followed. Ponyboy looked at them confused until there was yelling.
"LOOK HE JUST SAID AH!-" it was Steve. "YOU MADE A KID WALK HOME IN A PLACE FULL OF SOCS-" it was Dally. Ponyboy was especially surprised when Johnny chimed in.
"You're lucky it's us for now… I think I heard Dar and Soda finish with Pony." With that Soda and Darry went to the living room. Ponyboy tried to listen in, trying to hear what was happening. Before long Johnny came in and slipped into his bed.
"It's okay now Pony… we'll get those socs. For you, okay?" Ponyboy hugged Johnny. Johnny smiled and gently stroked Ponyboy's head. "Takin' my spot? So rude Johnny," Soda pretended to be wounded.
Ponyboy didn't even hear Soda come in. Johnny chuckled, "Yeah, I think you should sleep with your boyfriend." Soda sighed, "At this rate, I'm going to divorce him." It was a joke and Ponyboy laughed.
Johnny smiled again and held Ponyboy tighter. "As an older sibling I have the right to slip into bed with him," Soda said. Before long Ponyboy felt the bed dip again and with an added weight. The weight hugged Ponyboy and Johnny still hugged Ponyboy.
He was safe, at last. The pain seemed to subside. Allowing his eyes to close he went to sleep. Knowing that Johnny and Soda will be there for him. Knowing that there's a whole gang- two gangs for him. ❤️