(Steve's POV)

For what felt like hours, Soda held Ponyboy's hand, and once in a while, he even spoke to his kid brother. Soda said even though he was in a coma, Pony might be able to hear people. I wasn't so sure if that was really true, but I hoped the kid knew everyone was there for him, waiting for his bruised eyes to open.

When Soda told us Ponyboy was in a coma, I couldn't believe my ears. There's no way. He just won the state track meet yesterday; he can't be in a coma less than a day later. That shit just doesn't happen. But it did, and worst of all, it happened to one of the Curtis brothers. Their family has been through too much.

Soda told me he was doing fine, but I could see that the exhaustion and worry he felt was weighing him down. Not to mention, Soda barely ate any of the food we brought him the night before, and he slept in a chair in Darry's hospital room. There was no way he felt well-rested after that. The nurse that checked on Pony a few times would even glance in Soda's direction, probably concerned about him like I was, but he paid no attention to her and kept focusing on Pony. She gave us a few pillows and blankets in case anyone wanted to sleep for a bit, and I knew she was talking about Soda more than anybody.

"Hey Two-Bit, could you get us some burgers or something?" I said after a round of cards. Soda had played a few hands of poker with me and Two-Bit, but he stopped after a while. By the look of his drooping eyelids, he quit because he was tired.

Two-Bit nodded, then he stood up and stretched. "Good idea, Stevie. Maybe I can convince Sal to give us a few shakes on the house."

"Why on Earth would she give you free shakes?" I asked, eager to talk about something that didn't have to do with hospitals or how bad off Pony and Darry were.

"I think she has a thing for me," he said with a smirk. "You know the ladies can't resist good ol' Two-Bit."

"Really? Because last I checked, you don't have a girlfriend," I retorted.

"Just because the ladies can't resist me don't mean I can't resist them," Two-Bit said with a laugh.

I rolled my eyes. "Just shut up and get us somethin' to eat, will ya?"

Two-Bit grinned. "Yeah yeah, don't get your panties up in a bunch." As he passed me, he messed up my hair and moved away quick enough that I couldn't hit him as I swatted at him. "Don't miss me too much while I'm gone," he said as he walked out the door.

"We won't," I said loud enough for him to hear me. I could hear him snickering as he walked down the hall.

With the loudest member of our group gone, the room went silent, except for the machines next to Ponyboy's bed. Whenever there was a group of greasers around, it was never quiet, so it was odd to only hear a steady beeping noise.

I looked at Soda, who continued to hold Pony's hand, despite his eyes closing.

"Soda," I whispered. His eyes opened, and he looked at me without a word. "You should get some sleep. Want me to drive you home?" I knew his answer before I even finished the question.

"No," he said with a shake of his head, making Darry stir a little. I was surprised Superman was still sleeping, but Soda said he took some pain meds, and I'm sure that was at least part of the reason he still hadn't woken up since Two-Bit and I arrived. "I have to stay."

I nodded, knowing that Soda would leave about as soon as I learned to fly. Still, I knew my buddy needed rest, so I was determined to make it happen. I grabbed one of the pillows the nurse gave us and brought it to Soda. He looked at me with a confused expression on his face. "You gotta sleep, buddy."

Once he took the pillow from me, I went back to my chair. I watched Soda look around, apparently trying to figure out how he was going to sleep with Darry's head still on his shoulder. Eventually, he put the pillow against Darry's head and he plopped his own head on it, sandwiching the pillow between him and Darry. If we weren't in a hospital and the current situation wasn't so serious, I could've made a joke or something, but I stayed quiet. Once he was situated, he reached out to hold Ponyboy's hand again and closed his eyes.

"Thanks Steve," Soda said quietly. He didn't even open his eyes when he spoke, which made it even clearer that he was exhausted.

"Don't mention it," I responded.

Still holding his kid brother's hand, Soda quickly fell asleep. I was glad my best friend was getting some rest, although it didn't look like a comfortable position to sleep in to me. Soda doesn't care if it's comfortable, he just wants to be near his brothers. I put one of the blankets over both him and Darry, hoping to provide some type of comfort.

After I sat back down in the chair, I glanced at the kid in the hospital bed. "You better wake up soon, kid," I said quietly, trying not to wake anyone up. "We're all worried about you."

(Darry's POV)

I woke up slowly, like something was dragging me down the whole time and I had to struggle against it. It took longer than usual to force my eyes open, but when I managed it, everything in front of me was tilted. I thought something was wrong with my head, but right before I could panic, I realized my neck was stiff and bent sideways. I felt myself relax once I realized what was going on, but when I tried sit up straight, there was a weight keeping my head down.

"Hey Darry," Two-Bit's voice came from somewhere nearby. I blinked a couple times and moved my head a little. I spotted him and Steve on the other side of the hospital bed from me, eating burgers. "Or should we call you sleeping beauty?"

"Hey guys," I said, ignoring my buddy's comment. I continued to sit up straight, and when I finished the maneuver, I looked around to figure out what was resting on my head. On my right, Sodapop's head was resting on a pillow, and somehow managing to stay asleep during my movement, the pillow was pressing against my arm.

"He said he didn't want to go home to sleep," Steve exaplined before I even said anything.

"I brought food for you guys, but I didn't want to wake either of you," Two-Bit added. He reached into the bag and held out a burger. "Want one?"

Even though I was a little hungry, all the smoke and fumes from the day before seemed to settle into my stomach because I felt nauseous at the mention of food. I shook my head. "I'm okay, thanks. Soda should eat something when he wakes up though."

Two-Bit looked a little concerned as he put the burger back in the bag. Then he reached towards the floor, and he grinned as he held a cup with a straw in it. "What about a chocolate shake?"

I don't know how chocolate had the power to sound good when other food sounded horrible, but at the mention of the shake, I nodded. "Sure, thanks."

Two-Bit got up to hand me the shake, and by the time he was sitting down again, I swore I finished almost half of it already. I didn't realize that I was holding my breath, but I had to stop and take a few deep breaths, which apparently concerned the guys.

"You alright, man?" Two-Bit asked.

I nodded as I continued to try to catch my breath.

"You sure you should be discharged from the hospital?" Steve asked carefully.

I gave him the best glare I could achieve while still breathing heavier than I should have been. "I'm fine." Then, after I adjusted where Soda's head was against my arm, I looked at the guys and changed the subject. "When did you guys get here?"

"Couple hours maybe," Steve said cautiously, like he didn't want to give me another reason to glare at him.

I was surprised at that. I was usually a very light sleeper, so the fact that I didn't notice the guys coming into the room or Soda falling asleep against me was strange.

"Soda said somethin' about you taking some pain meds," Two-Bit said, apparently realizing what was going through my head.

I nodded. Oh yeah. No wonder I feel so heavy, but at least the pain is mostly gone. The meds took the edge off, and even though I hated to admit it, I was glad I had them. Still, I knew I'd have to use them sparingly, and hopefully I would be able to save some to bring to the house for future use. I looked at Pony, and I remembered that compared to him, I got out of that fire practically unharmed. "Have they said anything else about Pony?"

The guys shook their heads. "No, the nurse has been in here to check on him a few times, but nothing's changed," Steve said.

I looked at my youngest brother, and it took everything I had in me not to start crying in front of everyone. We were told he was in a coma and everything, but it was almost like we could pretend he was just sleeping at first, but so much time had passed that it was becoming more of a reality that something was wrong with him.

"You want to go home to shower or anything?" The words were so quiet and caring, that it was weird to hear it coming from Two-Bit out of all people. I looked at him, and he seemed quick to defend himself. "I'm not sayin' you smell or nothin' but I thought you might want to get out of here for a little bit. Maybe sleep in your own bed."

I shook my head and looked down at Soda, then at Pony. "I can't leave. Not now."

The guys seemed to understand that I couldn't leave my brothers, and they didn't ask again. However, Steve still got to his feet. "I'm gonna stop at the house and grab a few things for you guys," Steve said.

"Thanks Steve, I really appreciate it," I said genuinely.

"Don't mention it," Steve said. Then he looked at Soda's sleeping form. "I'll call our boss too, let him know what's goin' on and that Soda ain't comin' in tomorrow."

A wave of dread suddenly crashed over me. I looked down at Soda, and I knew he wasn't going to like the reality of our situation. "Soda's still going to need to work, especially since I won't be working tomorrow," I said.

We needed the money from my work, but realistically, I knew I wasn't in any condition to be on a roof or do anything physical until I healed a little more. I need to remember to call my boss tomorrow morning. I also knew it would be important to be around to discuss any medical decisions the doctors might need me for.

"You sure?" Steve asked, still looking at Soda. "I'm sure I can get Soda the day off. I can cover for him as much as he needs."

I wished Soda could stay with Pony the whole time our brother was in a hospital bed, but the sad reality was that we couldn't afford having both of us not working. "I'm sure. He's not going to be happy about it, and I wish it wasn't the case, but he's going to have to work… at least until I go back and get some hours. Maybe I can be back to work by the end of the week and Soda can take a day off to be here."

Two-Bit's eyebrows shot up. "You really think you ought to be working in a couple days?"

I shrugged a little, accidentally stirring Soda from his sleep. "Why not?" I asked. Burns only take a couple days to heal.

Soda continued to move, and seconds later, he spoke. "What's goin' on?" he asked with a yawn as he rubbed his eyes.

"Your big brother thinks he's going to work this week," Two-Bit said, sounding more entertained than anything.

Soda straightened up in his chair and shot me an incredulous look. "You can't be serious, Darry."

"Not tomorrow, but in a few days," I said, suddenly feeling defensive.

The look on Soda's face told me everything he was feeling: upset, concerned, and dumbfounded. "The doctor said to take it easy Darry, and roofin' ain't even close to easy."

"You know one of us has to be working, Soda," I said plainly. I hated the fact, but it was true. "I'll stay here for the next couple days, then you can take a day off and I'll go to work."

Soda looked at me like he thought I was from another planet. "No. Darry, no. You can't… I can't… no," his voice was getting louder as he struggled to finish any of his thoughts. Then he started looking real angry with me. "I don't want to leave him, but you can't go into work. You got burns all over and you can't hardly move or breathe without somethin' smarting!"

"I'll be fine," I said, trying to convince everyone, including myself. Ideally, I would be able to take a couple weeks off to heal, but I knew that couldn't happen.

"No Darry, you're not going to work!" Soda said stern and loud.

"Hush up, Soda," I said. "The doctor said the room needs to stay quiet." I would've reacted the same as Soda, so I felt bad for reprimanding him, but I also didn't want to give the medical staff a reason to kick us out of Pony's room.

Soda still looked upset with me, but after a glance at Pony, his eyes softened a little. He sighed a little, then spoke softer. "I know. I'll go to work, Dar, but you ain't. Alright?"

"Okay, little buddy." I wasn't sure how long I'd let Soda work while I'll sat around in the hospital, but I had to agree with him to keep him calm.

"Soda, why don't you come with me to grab some things," Steve said. I didn't realize he was there; I thought he would've dipped out of the room while Soda and I were arguing, but to my surprise, he stuck around.

Soda looked at his best friend, then at Ponyboy, then me, and back to Steve. "Alright, but we can't be gone too long." I could hear the strain in his voice, and I knew the emotions he was feeling were still swirling inside him. I wanted to comfort him, but I knew going with Steve would probably help him calm down a bit before he returned.

Soda ran his fingers through Pony's hair, and I heard him whisper, "I'll be right back Pony. Darry and Two-Bit are still here with you," before he followed Steve out the door.

The moment the two of them left, Two-Bit spoke quietly. "He sure is upset with you."

I groaned a little as I shifted in my chair. "Yeah, but we'll be fine. He knows we can't afford to have both of us not working."

Two-Bit nodded. "I get it, but I don't think that's what made him so mad." I gave him a look, and he just grinned at me. "You scared him, Darry. When he told us you went down and the doctors took you back, he was shakin' and cryin' the whole time. He's worried about you, and to be honest, you still don't look great, man. And for you to be thinkin' about work already… you can't really blame him for getting upset."

I immediately knew my friend was right. Soda knew I wasn't in great shape, and he didn't want me to push myself too much. I sighed. "Yeah, you're right."

He dramatically raised his eyebrows his jaw dropped. "Can you say that again? I didn't quite catch it the first time."

I rolled my eyes, but I felt myself grin. "You heard me, Two-Bit, and I'm not going to repeat it."

(Steve's POV)

"I can't believe he think he's working this week," Soda said angrily. We were about halfway to their house, and Soda had been ranting the whole time, not that I was irritated by it; I knew he needed to let it all out, which is why I offered for him to come with me. "I know we need the money, but he just got out of his own hospital bed this morning!"

When there were a few seconds of silence, I dared to say something. "You know he's more concerned about everything else except himself, Soda. He's always been like that."

Soda grunted in reply, and he stayed quiet the rest of the way.

Once we got the house, we grabbed a couple duffle bags and threw in some clothes, toothbrushes, and other things that Darry and Soda would need while they spent most of their free time in the hospital until the kid woke up. He better wake up, and soon.

I grabbed a couple Pepsi bottles from the fridge, but when I went to give one to Soda, I found him looking at the framed photos on the piano. He looked distraught, and tears rolled down his cheeks. I put the bottles on the table and walked up to him.

"Soda? What's wrong buddy?" I asked as I put a hand on his shoulder. I looked at the photos and I internally cursed. Shit.

In one of the photos, all seven of the guys from our gang were piled on and around the couch in the living room of the Curtis house. Everyone was either smiling or laughing, and I immediately felt a tightness in my chest. Damn, I miss those days, and I miss Dally and Johnny so much. In another photo, it was all five members of the Curtis family, smiling and looking like the definition of a happy, loving family. Fate has never been more cruel than when the Curtis parents died.

"We've lost so many people," Soda suddenly whispered. "I can't lose Pony too."

"You won't, Soda. He's gonna be fine," I said, trying to sound confident.

"Darry's hurt too, and he's gonna push himself too far," he said, ignoring what I said. Then he let out a sob and covered his eyes. "Glory, I can't handle much more of this."

I immediately circled my arms around him and squeezed him a tight hug. I wasn't a hug-type of person, but my best friend was feeling awful and we were alone, so I didn't care; Soda needed me, and I'd do anything for him.

"Everything will be okay, Soda," I said, still holding him close to me while he sobbed. "Darry's tough, and we'll make sure he doesn't get himself hurt more. The kid's tough too, he just needs some rest before he wakes up." Please tell me I'm not lying to Soda. Ponyboy needs to wake up.

I felt Soda nod into my shoulder, but he didn't say anything.

We stayed like that for a couple minutes, and when Soda pulled away from me, he gave me a small smile, his red-rimmed eyes still glassy. "Thanks, Steve."

"Of course, Soda," I said, turning to grab the Pepsi bottles. I handed him one and took a swig of mine before changing the subject slightly. "You wanna head back? Or do you want to get some rest here first?" I knew he had only slept a little bit while he was in the hospital with his brothers, and since he was supposed to work the next day, I wanted him to at least get some decent sleep.

"We can go back," he said after taking a drink from his bottle. "I want to keep an eye on them."

I quirked an eyebrow at him. "Now you sound like Darry."

He playfully punched me in the arm. "Shut up," he said with a grin on his face.