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Sodapop whistled to himself as he wandered home. The streetlights were just flickering on, he knew that Ponyboy would be cooking dinner just about now. God, he couldn’t wait to eat something.
He was just a few blocks from home and took a shortcut through the lot to get home. He didn’t like late shifts at the DX, almost no one came in. With only Steve to talk to, Soda thought he’d go crazy. And when he couldn’t stop his antsy pacing, Steve just rolled his eyes and told him to cut out early, that he’d clock out for the two of them later.
Soda took the offer readily and nearly bounded out the door. At this time, both of his brothers would be home, probably Johnny and some of the others too. He kept on whistling a song that had been playing incessantly on the radio, unable to get it out of his head.
Headlights came around the bend, shining on Soda. He lifted his hand to block the light, squinting to make out the car. It could have been Dally on his way to the house, but chills went up Soda’s spine.
The car slowed, the engine revving. Trying not to panic, Soda took a step backwards. Then another. Then he turned and started running.
“He’s running for it!” A cruel voice called after him. He heard car doors open and four sets of feet pounding on the asphalt behind him. Soda wished he had half the speed Pony did, but as it stood, he was the slowest runner in the gang.
With every footfall, Soda was freaking the fuck out. He’d gotten jumped before, but not in a long time, not since he dropped out. He had his switch in his back pocket. As Soda started to reach for it, a hand grabbed the neck of his shirt and yanked him backwards.
Soda choked, stumbling backwards and hitting the chest of his assailant. A hand fisted his hair, yanking his head backwards.
Soda started to kick his legs and jerk around in order to free himself. He cried out in pain as a knee landed in his stomach. All at once he was shoved to the ground, his cheek scraping against the asphalt.
He didn’t have time to breathe or move for his blade before feet started pounding on him. A boot landed between his ribs, another stomped on his ankle. Soda cried out, “Darry!”
He knew that his brother couldn’t hear him at that distance, but the childish part of him hoped he would anyway. But the Socs heard him.
“Oh shit,” one of them said. And a second later, the attacks on him stopped. Soda gasped for breath, fingers digging into the road to try to get purchase.
“What’s wrong?” Another one responded. Soda coughed and tried to lift himself onto his forearms and knees.
“He’s Darrel Curtis’s brother. We gotta get out of here.”
Soda spat blood out of his mouth. He couldn’t help but smile. Damn right they should get out of there. It was well known that Darry was the best fighter out of everyone, greasers and socs. The socs started running off, back to their car as Soda slowly pulled himself to his feet.
His ankle hurt something awful and he was sure there was blood all over his face. Using rusted fences and trees, he hobbled his way home. The chill of fear lingered under his skin, heart beating far faster than it should have been.
When Soda finally saw the lights of his house, the adrenaline was starting to wear off and the pain was doubling by the second. He winced as he made his way up the stairs and pushed the door in.
He was greeted by the loud chatter of his brothers and friends. All of them were in the living room, Pony and Johnny lying on the floor, Darry in his chair, and Dally and Two-Bit stretched out on the couch. When they saw Soda, everyone froze. It would have been funny.
“Hey,” he greeted them, lifting a bloody hand and smiling with blood-covered teeth.
“Jesus Christ,” Darry swore and quickly moved over to Soda. “What happened?”
Soda rolled his eyes. Darry took his chin in hand, turning his face to the light to see his injuries. “What do you think happened?”
Darry swore again. Over his shoulder, Soda could see Ponyboy watching them nervously. Sometimes it made Soda smile, Ponyboy was as nervous as a spooked horse. So Soda smiled.
Despite being in pain and covered in blood, he didn’t want his little brother to worry. Pony worried enough for everyone in the gang twice over.
Darry looked over at Pony, “Can you go get the first aid kit, baby?” Pony nodded quickly and darted off.
Two-Bit clambered to his feet and squeezed Darry’s shoulder, “I’ll get some towels and water.”
Darry thanked him and gently steered Soda into the living room. Dally moved his feet, allowing Soda to sit on the edge of the coffee table. Darry crouched down in front of Soda.
“What hurts?” Darry asked.
Soda shrugged, “Chest, left ankle.” Darry nodded seriously and started to pull Soda’s shoe off. He hissed in pain, fingers gripping the edge of the coffee table. Darry apologized softly as he began feeling the joint for any breaks or fractures.
Ponyboy came back with the first aid kit and, under Darry’s instruction, started to clean the blood from Soda’s face to better see the injuries. Ponyboy did so with extreme apprehension, hardly touching Soda’s skin with the towel.
“They didn’t get me too bad,” Soda assured all of them. The rest of the gang was watching him with some mixture of apprehension. Dally had a look of pride on his face as he glanced over Soda’s injuries. “You know why they didn’t?”
Two-Bit lifted an eyebrow, “You scared ‘em off with your good looks?”
Soda rolled his eyes, “They found out I was Darry’s little brother.” Darry’s hands stilled where he was wrapping Soda’s ankle. “And they ran for the hills.”
Two-Bit whooped at that, snapping his fingers in excitement. Darry lifted an eyebrow, “Who were they?” There was an undercurrent in his voice, sharp and dangerous. Soda knew that tone of voice, it meant Darry wanted blood.
“Cool your jets,” Soda chuckled, “they were nobodies. I couldn’t pick them out of a line up if I tried.”
Darry ground his teeth, finishing up the bandage. “Did they get your ribs?”
Soda nodded. He tugged his shirt off and was met with a loud hiss from Johnny. Soda shot him a look, “Not helping.”
Johnny giggled, “You’re not too hurt if you’re makin’ jokes.”
It was true enough. Soda wasn’t as hurt as he could have been. Darry’s assessment of his ribs confirmed that. He was trembling a little as the adrenaline left his system and the pain was starting to hit. He was going to be covered in bruises in the morning. But he would rather not show pain in front of Pony and the rest of the gang.
Based on the expression on Darry’s face, he could tell.
Darry stood up and tilted Soda’s chin up again. Soda looked into Darry’s eyes and saw the worry and protectiveness and a myriad of other emotions. He understood. Out of everyone in the gang, Darry was used to patching up Two-Bit and Steve and Dally. It was different when it was his own brothers.
Darry squeezed Soda’s shoulder, “Come on, let’s go into the bathroom. I want to take a look at your nose and the lighting is better.” Darry tugged him to his feet.
Once the door shut between them and the rest of the gang, Darry turned to Soda. “Tell me how you’re actually feeling.”
Soda swallowed thickly and sat down on the edge of the bathtub. His fingers tapped incessantly against the porcelain.
Darry crouched down in front of him and put a hand on his knee. He ducked his head to meet Soda’s eyes. Tears were starting to well in Soda’s eyes. Delayed panic, fear, and relief all contributed to it.
Darry gave him a sad smile and squeezed the back of his neck. “It’s okay, little buddy. It’s just you and me.” That was what caused the tears to start in earnest. Darry pulled him into an embrace on the tile floor. Despite the pain in his torso, Soda curled into him. It felt so childish and silly, but he just got beat up so he thought he deserved it.
“You don’t gotta be so brave all the time,” Darry murmured. “That’s my job, savvy?” Soda chuckled wetly. Darry kissed the side of his head.
Soda sniffed and pulled back just a little, “I didn’t wanna scare Pony. You know how he gets.”
“I do,” Darry agreed. “But I also know that he’s a lot stronger than either of us think. Now sit back up, I do need to look at your nose.”
Soda nodded and wiped his eyes, “I can’t pick up any chicks with a sideways nose.” Darry chuckled fondly and ran a hand over Soda’s head.
That night, after the rest of the gang had either gone home or made a bed in the living room, Pony slipped into bed beside Soda. Soda had been completely bandaged up, none of the injuries were that bad, just annoying.
“Johnny went home with Two-Bit,” Pony said quietly.
“Good,” Soda sat up and moved over to make room. Ponyboy was uncharacteristically careful as he sat down. But it was the look on Pony’s face that brought Soda’s attention, there was a tightness around his eyes and he was chewing on his lip. “What’s wrong, colt?”
Pony shrugged with one shoulder, “I ain’t seen you this hurt outside of rumbles. I don’t like it.”
Soda grabbed Pony’s hand and tugged him closer. Once he had his arm around his little brother, Pony seemed to relax just a little. “Darry fixed me up real good. And I don’t gotta work tomorrow so I can whip up another chocolate cake.”
Pony smiled and laid down. He watched Soda for a moment, “You’re really okay?”
Soda smirked, “Didn’t ya hear? Darrel Curtis is my big brother. He’ll kick the ass of anyone who tries to hurt us.”
“Damn right he will.” They looked up to see Darry peering in from the doorway. He was leaning on the door frame with a slight smile. “Go to sleep you knuckleheads. Some of us have work in the morning.”
Soda flipped Darry off and squished Pony into his side. It hurt his bruises a little, but it made Pony laugh so he figured it was worth it.