#sodapop curtis angst

[chippedshake]

Am I just fixing it just to break it?

Sodapop curses quietly as he gets up from the couch again. He could swear it hasn't been five minutes since he last stopped them from fighting, but they're at it again and now he has to talk them down. Again.

It's something stupid, for a change. Ponyboy hasn't done his homework for tomorrow and now he's peppering Darry with questions about the properties of... something.

"It was assigned last Friday, Pony, I don’t get why you're doing it now."

"Because I forgot! And your griping isn't helping any, it isn't gonna be done yesterday because you want it to be."

"But you can change your bad habits so it doesn't happen again. I swear, if I didn't see your report card, I'd think you just couldn't think."

"Can't you just lay off for once? Jesus, I just asked about what the octet rule was, it's not like I’m asking you to explain everything from scratch."

"No, I can't lay off, because if it was up to you, you'd singlehandedly ruin your whole future!"

Am I just hanging on, just so we can drown?

Is it even worth it, patching them up for them to just keep on fighting the next day? Is there any point to it? Or is he just pushing the same rock up the same hill every day only for gravity to beat him before he reaches the top?

Like the love we thought we found, no

When Darry had told them he was going to get custody over them, Soda had thought that it would bring them together. He never imagined sunshine and rainbows, but he thought they would become closer than they already were, have a bond forged in sweat and tears, not just blood.

But maybe it didn't count if the tears were cried alone and the sweat was just at work.

We're hoping that we don't just hit the ground

Every night, before he goes to sleep, Sodapop closes his eyes and prays that tomorrow will be different. He prays for his brothers to understand each other’s side, for them to finally listen to him, for them to finally see each other.

Because Soda may be stupid, but he's not delusional. He knows they won't last long like this, with fights every night about curfew and homework and dinner and textbooks. But there's no end in sight. How do you make someone see what they're desperately avoiding?

I've been pulling you close, but pushing me further

It takes him a couple months to realise he's lying to his brothers. He's pulling away, pretending like he's fine, like everything's fine, because he doesn't know any better.

It takes him a couple months to realise that his parents died too. That he's supposed to take time to grieve and get over their deaths on his own terms.

It takes him a couple months to realise that he doesn't even know himself anymore because he's been shoving his own feelings and thoughts down to make way for Darry and Ponyboy. Even when he's alone with Steve or Sandy, he doesn’t talk about his own feelings, only about Darry overworking and Ponyboy coming home late and the two of them fighting nonstop.

It takes him a couple months to realise why Sandy looks worried whenever they part ways and why Steve asks him how he is thirty times every time they meet up.

I've been holding it back, that I see you different

He still buys Pony a Pepsi whenever he comes to the DX and he still talks to Darry about the NFL, pretending like he knows (and cares) more than he really does. He still acts like he thinks they're his brothers, even though he can't help but hate them a bit for tearing him apart.

Sick of me remindin' you to love me like you say you do

"You going anywhere tonight, Pony?"

"Nope. Staying here."

There's no sound but the clinking of forks against plates.

"I'm going out with Sandy tonight, thanks for askin', Darry. Don't worry, I'll be back before it's too late, I know I gotta wake up early for work tomorrow," Soda says with a fake smile and faker cheer.

He's been trying telling the truth like it's a joke, lately, to see if it'll hit home somehow. Telling his brothers they're forgetting about him, that they aren't seeing him as an actual person anymore. "My day was good too, thanks for asking" and "since no one’s gonna ask anyway, lemme tell you about what happened to Steve today".

They aren't getting it and Soda's getting tired of having to remind them that he's their brother too, not just their middleman.

And I've been hurting myself to keep you from leaving

Sometimes, when Darry crosses a line, Sodapop can see Ponyboy's eyes dart around, calculating. He always starts with his backpack, then towards his room, his shoes, and then the door.

Darry never notices but Soda always does and that's how he knows he needs to intervene. Because if he doesn't say something to stop them, the argument will end with Ponyboy running out the door without even a coat on, which is the last thing they need right now.

So he'll always defend Ponyboy, even if he's wrong, because Darry would never leave but Ponyboy just might and he'll take a broken family held together by his own strength over two brothers who never speak.

I've been wonderin' whether we'll last the season

When Sodapop looks out the window one day and sees the snow melting, it feels like a miracle that he can still hear Ponyboy's steady breathing and Darry rummaging around the kitchen.

Wish we could've made this work

Five months later, Soda's running desperately because he can't make this work, he can't just be the glue that holds them together, because he couldn’t keep his parents there and he couldn’t keep Sandy there and he can't keep holding them together.

And, God, would he love to be able to say that he made it work. He would love to say that he found a way to make his brothers stop fighting, to make them remember that they love each other and don't need to argue about every little thing.

But he can't, because he's not enough and he never will be and sometimes he just wants to run away.

But now I know that I need more

"Golly, you two, it's bad enough having to listen to it, but when you start trying to get me to take sides... We're all we've got left. We ought to be able to stick together against everything. If we don't have each other, we don't have anything. If you don’t have anything, you end up like Dallas... and I don't mean dead, either. I mean the way he was before. And that's worse than dead. Please... don't fight anymore."

I need more

When Darry and Ponyboy listen to his little speech, he swears it's the first time they've really listened to him in eight months.

They tell him they'll do better, say they'll get along, that they won't wear him down anymore.

He tries his best to believe them and they race back home, laughing as they walk through the front door together.

[racetrackhigginsscigar]

hey gang i decided to try my hand at writing. this is my first work so please don’t bully me if it reads like shit :)

darry was standing shirtless in front of the mirror. now, this wasn’t an unusual occurrence, he would often flex in front of the mirror after his showers just to see how big he could make his muscles look. no, the occurrence wasn’t unusual, it was the thoughts racing through darry’s head that were. he had just finished taking his first shower in two long days. two days. two days ago, things took a turn. two days ago, darry fucked up.

pony ran away two days ago. johnny killed a soc two days ago. a boy died in the park two days ago.

darry hit pony two days ago.

now, as he stared back at himself in the mirror, he saw someone he didn’t recognize. he saw a coward with sunken eyes and a hollow face.

his mind raced with thoughts: what if i never hit pony? what if my brothers get taken away? what if pony never forgives me? what if SODA never forgives me? why do i have to be such a screw up? why did my parents have to die? when was the last time i ate? he thought the relentless questioning would never end.

then, he heard a soft knock on the bathroom door and soda peaked his head in. his hair was tousled from sleep and his eyes were half-lidded. it was obvious he had just woken up but when he saw darry, his eyes widened.

“dar? what are you doin?”

darry looked over at him. soda could see his red eyes, puffy from crying.

“oh dar…”

it was then the floodgates opened and darry cried in front of someone for the first time in a long time. he practically collapsed into soda’s arms, sobbing. he stayed in his brother’s arms for what seemed like an eternity, practically choking on sobs.

darry pulled back for a second and made direct eye contact with soda, tears still streaming out of his eyes. thousands of words were left unspoken but completely understood. they haven’t talked much these past few days, neither of them knew what to say.

soda stood there, taking in his brother’s appearance. darry looked thinner, his eyes were puffy and had large bags under them. his cheeks had sunken in a little and he was awfully pale.

“darry when’s the last time you ate something?”

silence.

“i- i don’t remember”

darry looked at the floor, he sniffed and wiped his eyes.

“soda, im sorry…”

soda’s gaze softened, “it’s okay darry i know you didn’t mean to…” soda didn’t finish, he knew he didn’t have to.

“i just- i don’t know what happened and i was just worried- and- and i swear i didnt mean to hit him…” darry was practically blubbering one sentence into his apology.

“darry, i know. it’s okay” soda said, interrupting him.

they both stood there for a short moment. darry looked back up at soda and wrapped his arms around him.

“we can’t loose him soda… we already lost so much…”

soda hugged his brother tighter, his own tears threatening to fall, “we’re gonna find him dar… we’re gonna get him home.”

darry pulled back, sniffed, and offered a small smile that didn’t fully reach his eyes, “i know…” his voice was so quiet he barely heard himself.

“i’ll make you some breakfast”

darry nodded silently and trudged into his bedroom to get dressed for work. he had already lost his parents but he would be damned if he was gonna lose his brothers too.

after getting dressed, darry walked into the kitchen to find green eggs and a piece of toast with grape jelly on a plate. he heard the pipes squeak and the water start running for the shower.

so darry sat at the table and ate for the first time in a while. his eyes still burned from the tears he shed earlier but his burdens seemed a little lighter. he had soda by his side and there were going to do everything in their power to get their brother back.

[tera-ixie]

Soda when Chet starts hanging out with the socs and ignoring him, not understanding why his best friend won’t talk to him anymore. Paul is a soc and he’s still Darry’s best friend, so why does Chet seem to hate him all of a sudden? What was he doing wrong? Why wasn’t he good enough?

[jaidens]

Can you do a fic where the reader's been dating Sodapop for a year and she was a really bad father? She opens up to him about the trauma and he comforts her about it.

And Stood There Loving You And Wished Them All Away

pairing [s] : sodapop curtis x reader

warning [s] : mentions of : abuse (physical and mental) | short fr

a/n [s] : ty sm for the request 🫶

You and Sodapop Curtis have been dating for a year now, pushing through bumpy and love-stricken moments. You were considerably in love with the man, absolutely head over heels for everything about him. Sodapop cared: that was shown throughout the time you met him. He would treat everyone with respect, hoping they'd give it back, such as customers and even his brothers. You knew him as your life, the man who held you when times got hard.

You hadn't told him about part of your life, your childhood. If the topic was mentioned, you would switch it with a kiss on the lips or a hug that squeezed his organs around. He was curious about how you covered such an important part from everyone.

Sodapop looks at you, his hands enveloping yours. He can tell you're shaking, his hand going to lie on your upper neck; just below your jaw.

“It's okay. You don't have to tell me today.” Sodapop reassures but you shake your head, and take a shaky breath in. You grip his hand for dear life, holding you down to Earth when you begin talking about your experiences. You don't remember when you started crying, but all you feel is Soda’s calloused fingers rubbing away the tears that fall. You tell him about everything, as it all begins to fall out of you: covered up emotions and feelings.

“I’m sorry, I'm sorry.” You beg out in worry about him knowing things you wanted to keep covered from him in hopes he would stay. Sodapop’s eyebrow raises and he looks at you funny. “Why are you apologizing, honey?” He asks and you pull yourself into his arms, crying into his soft shoulder.

He smells like everything you loved about him. It relaxes you once you get comfortable. “I’m sorry— I just, I kept that part covered because I was told it was an unlikeable trait about me.” You admit and Sodapop gives you a soft kiss against your forehead.

“Don’t ever keep something like that away. I had no idea why you were struggling, I thought it was my fault. And, it is far beyond an unlikeable trait. It shows how strong and worthy you are.”

You smile at his comforting words, giving him a kiss against his right after he said it. Suddenly, that weight that sat on you is disappearing along with Sodapop’s serious expression he puts on. “Thank you, so much. That meant a lot to me.” You thank his gently, kissing him once more and Sodapop pulls you back into his arms while his fingers draw hearts on your back.

“Always and forever, honey.”

[biggietofu]

I think this world would be a better place with more Sodapop Curtis Angst in it 😁

[lostghost0o0]

he coulda dodged smh

LOVE YALL POOKIES <333

[hellothereimaloser]

The pain, the suffering! Anyways I love 'Soda leaving to Vietnam' plotline so there you go (but I'd like to think that he survives and comes back lol)

[specific-dreamer]

idk if i said this already but ponyboy didn’t start speaking until he was like four. between darry and soda he just never needed to; he babbled plenty like, he babbled so much his parents thought he’d actually start speaking early, but darry and soda learned his babbles and what they meant and they were always so eager to help that pony would just babble nonsense and his brother would be on the move.

like when youre kid isn’t speaking properly at the appropriate age but their communicating clearly, you’re told to pretend you don’t understand them (very old school and not very ada friendly ik but bare with me), the curtis’ tried doing that, they tried correcting pony’s babbles but darry would look at them like they were stupid for seemingly not understanding pony and he’d just go get whatever pony wants himself. and soda bless his heart would have whole entire conversations with ponyboy, that kid was a baby whisperer

idk ponyboy didn’t speak proper english until he was four years old because he didn’t need to; he had two big brothers who understood him perfectly and that was all he needed

[broareweabouttoviberightnow]

"WHERE IS DARRY?" Soda is on his feet before the screen door slams, Steve jumpin' off the sofa beside him.

"What is it, Pony?" Pony rounds the corner with a wide, crazed grin 'n Darry comes barrelin' down the hall. "What's wrong?"

"Darry- they fuckin' broke up!" A brief wave of confusion passes across the panicked plains of Darry's face before his jaw drops open in delighted shock.

"No." He snatches Pony's arm, leads him back into the kitchen 'n plops down at the table. "Carrie-Ann? Are you sure?" Darry leans forwards, elbows on his knees, eagerly. Pony cackles at havin' got exactly the reaction he wanted.

Steve shoots Soda a glance 'n Soda rolls his eyes fondly, crashin' back down onto the sofa. Steve shuffles around the arm, clearly listenin' in but tryin' to be the nosy allegations. "What are they on about?"

Soda cranks the volume of the TV waves a hand dismissively. "Some couple at school. God, you would think their lives depended on it the way they talk about it."

"Hush, from the peanut gallery in there." Darry shushes him from the kitchen 'n Soda wiggles his eyebrows.

"Not our fault you don't got the attention span for a good story." Soda clutches his hand to his chest in mock offense 'n it's Pony's turn to roll his eyes.

"Wait, Carrie-Ann 'n Tommy? Ain't they been goin' together for a couple years now?" Steve stops pretendin' to be indifferent, drifts into the kitchen.

"Steve, not you too!" Darry splits into a grin and Soda sticks his tongue out.

"Yeah! But only 'cause she told him she was pregnant last year! He was gonna leave I swear! I heard Jerry tell Susan in my math class." Steve scrunches his face up and Pony shakes his head earnestly.

"Well, it would serve him right. Tommy was in my English and he'd bat those stupid eyes at anythin' that moved- even when he was pinned. That Carrie girl deserved better." Steve hops up onto the counter with a firm nod 'n Soda throws himself dramatically across the couch with a groan.

The back door swings open 'n Dallas appears in the living room, glancin' into the impromptu gatherin' around the table. "Woah woah woah, y'all talkin' about me? I'm sure it's all good shit."

He ducks over to Soda, jabbin' him in the ribs and slidin' out of the way when Soda kicks at him. He misses but rolls off the couch and dives for Dallas' knees. Dally goes down hard and Soda howls his laughter.

"Nah, one of the couples up at school broke it off." Steve leans dangerously far over Pony 'n snatches one of the grandma candies Darry loves so much from the bowl.

"Who?"

"Dallas!" But they all knew it was a lost cause. If Darry 'n Pony were drama fiends, Dallas was a hound for the stuff. He was always showin' up with some new juicy tidbit. Sometimes Soda would swear Pony loved Dallas more than him solely for the fact Dallas seemed to have his nose in everythin'.

"Carrie-Ann 'n-"

"Tommy? No fuckin' way." Dallas detangles himself from Soda, shoves Steve over, 'n climbs up onto the counter. Soda shoots him a glare he misses entirely. He flops flat onto the floor, tucks his hands under his head, and refocuses on the beach flick. Or tries to.

"I heard she cheated on him." Dallas leans forward conspiratorially and Pony 'n Darry's jaws fall open in twin shocked expressions.

"No way, really!"

"I'm sorry, you're sayin' Carrie cheated on him?" Dallas raises an eyebrow haughtily and leans back on his hands.

"Swear to God."

"Wait." All four heads swivel to Soda as he sits back up, somethin' prickin' at his memory. "Tommy. Tommy Dil- somethin' right? His daddy owns the car lot close to the river, yeah?"

"Dilon, yeah." Darry leans so he can better see Soda through the door at the same time Pony says,

"Yeah, the one that looks like a Soc 'n talks like a greaser but ain't either." And Steve leans traitorously far again and adds,

"The one that thinks he's a lady-killer but nobody wants him but Carrie." Dallas puts both hands on Steve's back 'n pushes him over so he can get a good look at Soda and hoots,

"Not even his mama wanted his busted ass. That's why he only lives with his dad." Steve shoves him off and Pony momentarily whips back around with wide eyes.

"Wait, really?" Darry bats him up the side of his head, the shit talkin' goin' a hair too far for him, apparently.

"What is it, Soda?" Steve quickly redirects the focus back to him before Pony can whine 'n Soda forgets what he was gonna say completely.

"I saw him at the Dingo with Cheryl last week. 'N they weren't just holdin' hands if I'm being delicate." He wiggles his eyebrows 'n the tips of Pony's ears go all red. Dallas howls and grabs Steve who is so bewildered he forgets to shake him off.

"Cheryl? Ain't no way! I never would have-"

"Ain't she goin' with Benny?"

"Man, I thought she was catholic-"

"I swore she didn't come to this side of town- didn't wanna dirty those damn gogo boots-"

"Soda." Darry fixes his middle brother with a look that could pin him straight to the wall. Soda blinks big, innocent eyes at him. "That true?"

"Hell no." He splits into a big mischievous grin and Pony lets out an indignant wail, launchin' himself out of his chair 'n onto Soda. Soda flips him onto his back easily but Steve is on top of him before he can blink, jabbin' him in the ticklish spot under his ribs so Pony can wriggle out.

"Since when are you 'n Pony on the same side?"

"Since now! Get 'em Pone!" Steve pins Soda's arms above his head and Pony goes to town ticklin' every place he knows will make Soda holler until he's red in the face. Soda rips one hand free and Dallas comes up behind Steve, liftin' him straight off the ground with the kind of wiry strength they all forgot Dallas had.

Darry instantly takes up Pony 'n Steve's side 'n it doesn't take long until there are no sides at all- just them all rollin' around and laughin' so hard their sides all ache.

"You know, I think I get it now- that drama shit is fun!"

[thewulf]

Don't Cry || Dallas "Dally" Winston

Summary: Request - In that, you mentioned Dally and Two-Bit walking the reader home and I had a request idea I wanted to send you. Could you write a Dallas Winston x reader where reader is a little younger than him but he’s really protective of her??... Read Rest Here

A/N: Ahhh these Outsiders requests are so much fun! I'm writing them so quick. Fresh inspo is so much fun. Thank you for the request and hope you enjoy! @fluentmoviequoter

Pairing: Dallas "Dally" Winston x Female Reader

Word Count: 5.0k +

TW: knifes, knife cutting, blood, crying, yelling

You’d known Dallas Winston for a long time. Not your whole life but it felt like it. He was always a constant in your life. Your relationship was always a weird one with the Winston boy. You could joke all day long in the confines of the house but as soon as you left it he wanted nothing to do with you. Like he was embarrassed of you. Little did you know he was just trying to keep your squeaky-clean reputation intact. For you might’ve hung, lived with and been around greaser’s but you weren’t one really. You were a greaser by association. Dally always said you were far too kind, too pure for this lifestyle so he tried his hardest to keep you as far away as he could.

It wasn’t easy when you gave him those pleading looks outside the Curtis residence to just acknowledge your presence. He tried his best not to cave. Not even when all he wanted to do was laugh about something stupid Ponyboy or Sodapop did. But you couldn’t be seen with him out and about so casually. Then the Soc’s would start to target you. He didn’t know what he was quite capable of at the thought of somebody hurting you. As he got to know you and the Curtis after moving to Tulsa he swore he’d protect you day and night. He wouldn’t let a pretty little hair on your pretty little head get touched.

He'd decided early on when he met you, he was ten and you were eight, that he was going to get you tough. He was going to be hard on you, not too hard though. If you were going to grow up a greaser then you needed to know how to defend yourself. He spent the next eight years teaching you, training you, protecting you. He didn’t realize when it happened but slowly he stopped looking at you like a younger sister. Those protective feelings went far deeper than familial love. No, he actually loved you. He’d fallen in love with the one person he really shouldn’t have fallen for. Darry would skin him alive if he knew. Soda would beat him into oblivion. Pony would tell him how disappointed he was in some sort of poetic way that went over his head. He knew he just had to keep these growing feelings quiet. For your sake. You didn’t need to deal with him or his endless amounts of baggage. Even if he could see how attached you had grown to him too.

To say your relationship had grown confusing and chaotic over the years had been an understatement. Even Darry had picked up on some of the awkward tension that seemed to pop up out of nowhere when the two of you were left alone. Soda caught onto the longing gazes Dally would throw your way. He even caught you a few times doing the same to him. Pony wasn’t blind either. He was your very best friend and confidant. Whenever the conversation of Dallas Winston came up you shied away. Scared of letting something loose on accident. All the brothers knew there was something there they just didn’t know if and what would happen.

After your parents had died he’d been there for all of you but especially you. You’d taken it the hardest. Your mom was your favorite person and she just disappeared one day. You were lost and had to rely on teenage boys to guide you through it all. Your parents had nobody they could fall back on to take care of you. Thank goodness for Dally. He’d quite literally pulled you out of the depression you’d slipped into by just being there. Helping you. Asking for nothing in return. That’s when you fell in love. He’d shown you his true colors under the layers and layers to Dallas Winston. Under it all he was there for you and promised to never leave. And you knew he'd keep that promise, you just knew it.

Slowly the months ticked by and you’d gotten back to normal. Going out with friends and boys. Dallas watching you like a hawk whenever you went on dates with guys he knew were nothing compared to you. But he decided not to say a word and let you live your life. It was worth seeing the smile come back to life after seeing you so sad for too long. Seeing you happy was worth it all.

So, when Ponyboy asked you to accompany him on a Paul Newman special at the movie theatre you couldn’t refuse him. He was so excited about seeing the film you could hardly imagine saying no to him. You’d always enjoyed the movies too so it was hardly a tough sell on his part.

You couldn’t imagine a better way to spend a Saturday. Maybe if Dally was there to accompany you. But you couldn’t admit that. If you did then everything would change. Who knows what Darry would do to Dally. How Soda would treat him. This could get weird, and you hated weird. You’d rather keep it normal even if it meant having to keep him as a friend.

“Which one did you like better?” Pony asked once the two of you had left the theatre. He placed his hands in his pockets giving you a quizzical look. The two of you waked slowly along the cracking road that needed some serious repairs. Your head spun towards the street seeing a car full of Soc’s roll up chipping at Ponyboy about something, ignoring you completely. Even though you were over a year older than him Pony stood much taller than you. He pushed you behind his back as he yelled back at the boys. You tugged at the back of his shirt letting him know it was time to go. It wasn’t smart to get chippy with five of them in the car. They outnumbered the two of you and you were rather useless in a fight.

He grabbed your hand and pulled you across the street. After a moment of walking along the residential road you answered him, “The Hustler was far better Gidget Goes to Rome. Paul Newman really is a mastermind.”

He smirked bobbing his head in agreement, “Thought you’d say that.”

You feigned offense at that statement, “Am I that predictable Ponyboy Curtis?” You raised your eyebrows as you walked along the dirt path. The theatre wasn’t far from home thankfully. Maybe just over a mile. A twenty-minute walk or so.

“No. I just know you I guess dear sister.”

You smiled at your younger brother. Even since your parents had passed you’d taken on the nurturing role for him and even Soda more recently. Darry had none of it though. You’d grown close to your two brothers since their death’s. Darry kept his distance trying to do his best to raise you instead of letting you help him. He was trying to take on the role of your father without even asking if that’s the three of you wanted. But you didn’t dare question him.

You gave his hand a soft squeeze, “That you do Ponyboy. You know me better than anybody else.” You spotted a vehicle fast approaching from behind the two of you as you went in for a hug.

Your eyes widened seeing the same Mustang before barreling towards you, “We gotta run.” You grabbed his arm and started sprinting down the road. Pony was faster, so much faster than you, so he tried to drag you along only ending up tripping you in the process. They caught up in their Mustang an instant. He stood in front of you as you scrambled to your feet.

You gulped as the five boys got out of the car walking towards you, “Get out of here.” Pony tried to sound tough, but you heard the waver in your younger brothers voice.

One of them flipped a blade open. Your eyes shot wide open as you grabbed his shirt trying to tug him away. But they were faster as one of them tugged on your arm pulling you to the ground in front of Pony. You let out a scream trying to draw the greasers attention a few houses down. Hopefully they were hanging out outside like they usually were. Drinking beers or some shit.

“Darry! Soda!” You yelled as Pony as was taken down to the ground with you. He tried to let out a few calls for help but was muffled by something being shoved in his mouth.

“Shut her up.” One of them said, Randy maybe? You’d recognized him as the one with the redhead from school.

And before you knew it that same blade was placed right to your throat, “Pretty little things got a mouth on her huh? Maybe this’ll quite you down.” The overly-cologne scented Soc smirked as he pressed the blade across your throat drawing yet another yell right from you. He cut you. He really cut you.

Before you knew it they were running away. Your brothers and friends had heard you and Ponyboy yelling and came running right to your defense. It was only a little over a minute you were down on the ground, but that minute made you tremble. You’d never been so dominated like that in your life.

You looked down shocked at everything that had just happened. You’d felt the blood trickling down your neck more so than throbbing of the slice the Soc had given to you. Darry pulled you up from the ground, so you were sitting at eye level with his crouched form. After a moment of him holding the handkerchief up to your neck he finally spoke, “They didn’t hurt you too bad, did they?” His voice was low. He was pissed. You knew you were in trouble later on once everything had settled.

You shook your head afraid to look at your older brother, “No, I’m fine.” You whispered afraid of what he might say next.

Ponyboy made his way over to you, crouching down next to Darry, “I’m so sorry, Y/N. I didn’t…”

You stopped him, “It’s fine Pony. I’m okay really. Just a cut.” A small smile wavered over your face trying your best to reassure him.

Darry scoffed hating how you were playing this off so casually. Like his kid sister hadn’t gotten a knife pulled on her. Like you hadn’t gotten cut by that very same knife. It was every nightmare he had coming to light right in his backyard. At least the two of you had gotten that far before being attacked.

“Hey, Y/N.” Soda spoke after running up. His face dropped seeing the blood running down your neck, “Did they pull a blade on you?” He put his hands on your shoulders so he could get a better look.

Your face flushed with embarrassment seeing all of your brothers eyes right on you. Turning away you couldn’t take Soda’s intense gaze, “Yeah.”

He pulled your head back towards him, “Hey kid, they ain’t gonna hurt you no more. Come on.” Grabbing your hand, he hoisted you to your feet with ease. Darry gave you one last quick look before he grabbed Pony by the arm. You gulped knowing Darry was going to have it in for him. You needed to talk to your older brother about being so hard on Pony. It was just an accident after all. It wasn’t your fault the Paul Newman films kept the two of you in deep conversation not seeing the Mustang until it was too late.

Dally only interrupted you and Soda once Darry had pulled Pony ahead. He needed to make sure that his favorite Curtis sibling was okay. A minor wave of panic rang through his body seeing you pushed to the ground next to Pony with those boys had their filthy Soc hands on you. Rage washed over him as he kicked the side of the fancy car when they fled away from the scene.

Dallas’s eyes scanned over you with concern only stopping when he saw the trail of blood rolling down your neck, “What the hell is that? Did they cut you?” He took a step closer, grabbing at your face with a delicate touch. Almost as if he was afraid he’d hurt you further if he grasped on too tightly.

“Jesus, Curtis. What’d I tell you about defending yourself?” He gave your cheek a soft squeeze before dropping his hand. He spotted the already bloodied Handkerchief turned rag in Soda’s hand and held out his own to ask for it from your brother.

You looked down, “It was five on two Dally. What were we supposed to do?” You asked back earnestly wondering what the hell you were actually supposed to do. Run? Pony was faster and you’d only slow him down so that wasn’t an option. You’d already tripped trying to keep up with him. Try and fight? Well, you got a blade pulled on you so that wasn’t great either.

He bit his mouth trying his best not to snap at you. His adrenaline was high, and he was scared at the thought of you actually getting hurt, “I don’t know Y/N. Fight back? You were just lying there!”

You stopped walking abruptly, brushing Soda away knowing he didn’t need to hear the conversation about to go on between you and the hot-headed man beside you, “Can you go make sure Pony’s okay?” You asked him.

Soda gave you a curious look before finally handing Dally the handkerchief, “You sure?”

“Yeah, go ahead.” You gave him a quick push before turning back to Dally, “What is wrong with you?”

He stepped closer so your brothers couldn’t hear ahead of you, “What the hell is wrong with me? I’m just trying to keep you alive Curtis. I should be asking you the same! Why are you out walking alone with Pony this late on a Saturday anyway? You two know better. Those no good for nothing assholes only want to fight.” He grumbled before dabbing at the semi-dried blood on your chin.

You let out a huff of irritation. He was being so caring yet so damn frustrating, “What? I can’t go anywhere without a damn chaperone now? I’m confined to my brothers house? Is that how it’s going to be Dally? Pony isn’t enough now?” Your voice was snappy as you pushed and pushed and pushed him. He was already feeling on edge from the whole thing and your attitude was about to be his breaking point. There was nobody on this planet that could get under his skin like you could, nobody except for you. You’d found a way to weasel your way into his ice-cold heart and sink a burning ember into it. For Dallas Winston would do anything for you. But man, did you frustrate him to no end.

“Jesus, you know that’s not what I mean! Stop putting words into my mouth Curtis.” He put his hands up in the air in frustration, raising his voice just a tad. Darry turned back observing, making sure you were fine. He knew Dally would never hurt you. He could see the way the Winston boy looked at his younger sister. He wasn’t stupid. Dally had always been soft on you. Except he wasn’t. He pushed you harder than he pushed anyone. He wanted you to know how to defend yourself. With your hands, a knife, a pipe whatever. He was going to teach and push because he needed you alive. You were the only thing grounding him to this planet at the moment.

Your eyes narrowed on his, your voice raising as well, “Then what do you mean Dallas? Go ahead. Say exactly what you mean. I can take it.” You’d only used his full name when you felt like being patronizing.

He looked like he was contemplating everything before he turned back to you, “You need to be more careful!” He snapped. He didn’t raise a hand on you but instead yelled right at you stopping you in your tracks. Dally had never yelled at you before. Scolded sure. Disappointed yes. Angry, of course. But yelled? Never.

Your brothers must’ve seen the look in your eyes as they all stepped in. Darry pulled Dally away telling him to cool off. Soda grabbed your arm pulling you back towards the house. And Pony happily chatted away trying to take your mind off it.

“Dally’s just an asshole, you know that!” Pony’s final ditch effort to get you to smile came up miserably short.

You gave him a solemn nod, “Yeah, I know. Never to me though.” The sadness in your voice must’ve been evident because that had him quiet down the remainder of the short walk home. You brushed them all away telling them that you were ‘fine’ and going to take a nap.

They left you alone for a few hours but when you didn’t come out for dinner all three brothers grew worried. Soda knocked on your door lightly, “Hey kid. Supper’s getting cold. Darry made one of your favorites, spaghetti, and meatballs.”

It was sweet how much they cared on you when you were down, but damn was it suffocating sometimes. It was times like these when you wish you could run to your mom and ask her advice on it all. Boys were… boys and they often didn’t have a clue what ran through your head.

“I’m not hungry Soda. Maybe later, I’m working on homework.” You heard him sigh before walking away. You’d thought you would have gotten rid of them but another, much louder knock broke you away from the essay you were committed to finishing.

“Pony said you both skipped lunch to go to the movies. Come on down and get some dinner kiddo.” Darry’s much deeper voice spoke through the door. He tried twisting the knob but stopped when it wouldn’t budge. As much as he wanted to knock your door in he knew better. You weren’t like his brothers. No, you were so entirely different. He couldn’t treat you the same or you’d most likely find yourself a foster home instead.

“I had popcorn. I’m still full from that.” It wasn’t a lie. You weren’t hungry. You were uneasy and nervous. And wanted to finish the damn easy that you’d been staring at for the better part of three hours now.

“Alight kid, I’ll save you a plate.” He grumbled before beginning to walk away.

“Thanks Dar.” You hummed ignoring the lump forming at the back of your throat. You were so lucky to have your brothers who cared for you so deeply. You just wished they’d give you the space you needed.

And you thought they did before, yet another knock came to your bedroom door not thirty minutes later. With a huff you set the pencil down, “Go away Pony. I’m not in the mood.”

A laugh so distinct came from the other side of the door. That was certainly not Ponyboy, “Try again, sweetheart.” Dallas. Dallas freaking Winston. What had your brothers done?

Your palms began to sweat as your heartrate sped up rapidly, “What are you doing here?” It came out colder than you meant but Dally just found it amusing. He knew you couldn’t hurt a fly much less hurt him words. Albeit you might be the only person that could actually hurt him with words if you wanted to. Dally was soft for one person. You.

“I’m here for you.”

You sighed, “Go away. I’m not hungry. I don’t know who went and got you or called you or whatever. I’m not in the mood Dally.”

He put his head on your door knowing your mood was stemming from the argument earlier. He had snapped at you, and he felt bad. Especially after Darry of all people came knocking at his door pleading with him to come back to his place and talk to you.

His voice was low but he knew you could hear it, “You and I both know I’m not going away little Curtis. So, you can open that door and we can talk about it, or I can sit here all night waiting. Those are the options.” You heard his stubborn ass slide down the door. You knew they could most likely pick the lock or break down the door. But Darry wasn’t stupid. He knew it’d cause more harm than any good. You needed your safe space away from all the madness of being a greaser. A place you could lock yourself away from.

“Please,” Your voice cracked as fresh tears flowed down without you even noticing, “Just go away.”

You heard him click his tongue, “No can-do sweetheart. I gave you the options. Your turn to pick.” His voice was smug. Was he relishing in making you squirm? Neither was really an option. Both forced your hand. But then again this was Dallas. He got what he wanted.

You tried to turn back to your essay all you could think about was Dallas freaking Winston sitting on the opposite side of your door. You knew his stubborn ass wouldn’t leave either and that drove you nuts. You’d never be able to finish the essay or go to bed knowing he was sitting there just waiting on you.

With a heavy sigh you got up, walked towards the door, opened it without so much as a second thought and found him sitting right next to your door, “Go away.” You tried in your meanest voice, but it came out as a whisper.

He shook his head as he stood to his feet, “That’s not going to happen sweetheart.” He leaned against your doorframe pushing you back inside your room.

“Why can’t you guys just leave me alone for one night? One stupid night. That’s all I’m asking for!” You’d hardly ever raised your voice, but you were tired. Exhausted. Scared of the Soc’s that pulled a freaking knife out on you. Frightened because when you needed a helping hand all you got was a scolding voice.

“We’re worried about you is all. You got attacked. A knife pulled out on you…” He lowered his voice hoping it’d help settle down the rage he saw in your eyes. It was weird. Different. He was used to such a sweetness about you. He’d never seen you angry. Upset sure. But this was something entirely different.

Your eyes bugged, “You think I don’t know that? That maybe I just need some alone time away from all of this?” You didn’t hate being a greaser, no. That would never be the case. You loved your life with your brothers. You were just so damn tired of always being alert these days. Being a girl put you in a weird position with the greasers. The Soc’s never laid hands on you until today. It was startling. You’d always heard how dangerous the life was but today laid it out in front of you how truly dangerous it could be if you were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

He put his hands up in defense, “You need to calm down, Y/N.” His eyes shifted from one of a confident gaze to one that filled with concern

You wanted to slap him across his pretty little face, “You saying that is definitely not going to calm me down!” You were beyond frustrated now. You didn’t want to talk about it. You wanted him to leave you alone.

His eyes downturned as he saw your frigid stance. You were, for the first time he had recalled in his life, angry. Like angry, angry. Like you looked like you wanted to rip his head off angry, “Hey, I’m sorry. But I need you to relax a little. Sit down for me?” You were struck by his apology. Dallas Winston saying he’s sorry? You thought you’d so sooner be struck by lightning than hear those words come out of his mouth. The rage in your body calmed at that.

With an icy glare you sat down on your bed. You weren’t sure why you were listening to him. You were angry with him. He yelled at you when you needed sympathy. He’d scared you when you were already terrified. You thought the world of him, but that world came crashing down oh so quickly. You knew of the Dally he had hidden so well from you. Pony, Soda, and Darry would tell you stories all the time of how menacing he was. How he was so fearless in the face of it all. How could you not love on the man?

“Are you okay, Y/N?” He asked after shutting your bedroom door behind him. He knew your brothers were listening in, but it at least gave the illusion of a private conversation. Not that it mattered. They’d get the damn conversation out of one of the two of you eventually anyway. There was no privacy with the greasers.

“I’m fine.” You snapped at him, clearly not fine.

He shook his head giving you that damn chuckle that meant he knew you were lying, “I’m going with you’re not. You wanna tell me what’s the matter?” He asked once more. Stubborn.

“I want you to go away. That’s what I want.” The word weren’t as harsh this time. More like a soft rumble.

He sighed, “Come on Curtis. It’s just me. I know you and I know you’re not okay or fine or whatever word you wanna use. You can talk to me. It’ll be okay.” He grabbed for your hand that was nervously clutching the edge of your mattress giving it a comforting squeeze when his fingers locked with yours.

You felt the words coming on before you could stop them and soon you were rambling, “I’m overwhelmed Dally! I’m scared. I’m nervous. I don’t know if I’ll feel comfortable walking down the damned street anymore! And none of you will leave me alone to think about it!” You fired back exasperated. The building rage inside your eyes quieted down at the admission. You were terrified of what happened next. Everybody was always on edge these days. Life went from easy to hard in what felt like a night after your parents had left.

He opened his arms up, “Alright, come on. Come here pretty girl.” It didn’t take him much effort to pull you right into his embrace. In another instance you’d probably have fought him, but you were terrified and exhausted and his warm embrace was everything you needed. He pulled you closer before resting his head on yours, “It’s okay to be scared.” He whispered knowing that your nosey as hell brothers were likely sticking their ears to your door.

You closed your eyes letting the scent of his cologne mixed with the long day wash over you. So much more refreshing than the scent that washed over you earlier. Dally was always your comfort. No matter how harsh a day or words that were spat you knew you could count on him. No matter how mean you were to him either, “You yelled at me.” You felt another wave of tears come on. God, you felt so pathetic in his arms crying about being yelled at. Some greaser you were.

“I know.” He sighed giving you another reassuring squeeze, “You scared me. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I just let out my frustration out on you. I shouldn’t have done that. I should’ve been there to protect you.” He sounded a bit angrier not that he was getting it off his chest.

You pulled your head back gaping at his with a confused expression, “Is Dallas Winston apologizing?”

He gave you that soft smirk that you’d come to love, “If you tell someone I did, I’ll deny it.” He brushed the stray tears away with his thumb, “I don’t like it when you cry.”

You laid your head back down on his chest, “Don’t make me cry then.” Quipping back, you knew that wasn’t entirely fair. He wasn’t the sole reason you were in tears. But he was the reason you were crying then.

He leaned down whispering in your ear, “I’m sorry. Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. I can’t promise I’ll be perfect. You know I’m a fuck up. But I’ll try. I’ll always try for you.” There was no chance your brothers could hear him for you hardly could. Or maybe that was the rough pounding in your ears. He wanted it to stay between the two of you. He knew Darry would flip if he tried to make a pass at his sister. So, he’d keep his distance from you, for now. But he couldn’t promise to restrain himself if you made advances on him, he’d fold in an instant if you did.

“I believe you.” You fisted his shirt in your hands, grasping onto him. This certainly wasn’t what friends did. But it felt right to cling onto him. To mold into his touch and his embrace. Dally felt so incredibly meant for you the thought of not being with him hurt you.

He held onto you for just a bit longer before pulling back, “It’ll be okay. We’ll figure it out. You’ve got me. Your brothers. All those friends. You’ll be just fine.”

You gave him a quick nod brushing the fogginess out of your eyes, “Thank you Dally.”

“Always. Now come on, let’s go eat before Darry force feeds you.” He stood, unwrapping himself from you, holding his hand out for you to take.

“Darry would, wouldn’t he?” You smiled taking his hand in yours happily.

He gave you that look, “Let’s not find out.” Before pulling you out the door. To nobody’s surprise were all three Curtis brothers not even subtly eavesdropping in on the conversation right outside your door.

“All of you. Unbelievable.” Your laugh let them know they’d called just the right person to brighten your spirits. Darry knew it was only a matter of time before you realized that he was your person. The thought terrified him. The older you got the closer the two of you grew. But time and time again Dallas had shown Darry just how much he loved you too. His actions and his words showed just how much he actually did care for you.

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[averagefandomist]

WHAT THE FUCK I'M IN TEARS??? /pos

Ugh, this kills me in the bestest way possible. You all are amazing writers, the lot of you.

I enjoy a good Vietnam!Soda fic as much as the next angst-loving soul, and I will gobble up as many PTSD fics as you can throw at me. But with that in mind, I think they’re all wrong. 😂

I think Soda went to Vietnam fearless, bright and shining as the day he was born. None of this terror, or angst, shaking hands and teary eyes—I don’t think it ever really occurred to him that he might die. Soda, who never quite understood the seriousness of the world. Soda, who’d lost more loved ones in 16 years than some people do in a lifetime, but never lost his laughter. I think he read the draft notice and saw it as just another adventure—just another rumble, a thrill and a dance, a fight to one-up all his other buddies’ fights.

The day he left, he hugged his brothers tight. Slapped Darry on the shoulder, ruffled Pony’s hair, yelled “see ya soon!” before racing off across the airport tarmac. Duffel bag flung over his shoulder. Hair wild in the wind. Bright, beautiful, immortal.

He never fought in a single battle.

He died the day he landed, in the vehicle driving him to base, caught in a landmine the metal detectors should have found. He died with a joke on his lips. He died in seconds. That greaser boy from the East Side, who flunked in everything but mechanics and gym—doomed by the narrative, he never stood a chance.

But it’s alright. Because the real tragedy would have been if he lived.

Soda wasn’t meant to grow old, the way roses aren’t meant to live past summer. And he wasn’t meant to come home from a war that would have twisted him into something unrecognizable. Broken, a shell of his former glory, ruined beyond repair. A version of Soda that would never, ever be Soda again.

Death came before the war destroyed him. He never trembled in the trenches or slogged through jungle mud, never watched a buddy bleed out or saw his own bullet tear the soul from a body. He died before he knew what fear truly meant. He died young, still laughing, thinking about his brothers, believing in goodness, believing he would live forever.

Sodapop Curtis died golden.

[chippedshake]

Sodapop angst !! 🫶

thank you so so much the fandom needs more sodapop and generally I forget about him

(gonna kill three birds with one stone and write that song fic based on never knew a heart could break itself and also fill in the "fic based on your favourite song at the moment" slot from my the outsiders bingo card)

You're getting used to sleepin' in an empty bed

When Ponyboy comes back for the holidays, he sleeps in his old room again. It's never doubted, never questioned, never talked about with Soda. It just... happens.

Of course they knew he would have to get used to sleeping alone once he went off to college, even if the nightmares never stopped. But Sodapop had always assumed he'd be glad for some comfort at night, even if just for the holidays.

Apparently not.

"What's up with that?" Soda asks Darry the moment Ponyboy closes his bedroom door behind him. Darry turns to look at him, confused.

"With what?"

"Him sleepin' alone."

Darry shrugs. "Ain't it better for him to be used to it? You aren't gonna be there forever."

Soda turns away, looking back at the closed door in front of him, ignoring the quiet aching in his chest. I would be. I would be there forever, helping him fall asleep if he needed to when he's eighty years old.

He sighs.

"Guess so."

I'm getting used to the pain

It takes a couple days, but eventually Soda learns to embrace it. Embracing the happy moments during the day, when Steve manages to get some time away from the mechanic's he's been hired at and Two-Bit is forcibly separated from his girlfriend, that the whole gang — or what's left of it — spends together.

He laughs at the right times during Ponyboy's college stories and asks the right questions about Darry's recent promotion at his bookkeeping job. And the knowledge that Ponyboy's leaving in a week and Darry's leaving once he saves up enough money can be buried deep down below everything else so that maybe it isn't as terrible a feeling.

So farewell to Oklahoma, thanks for holding onto me

Everyone seems to want to leave Tulsa. Ponyboy's college isn't even in Oklahoma, Darry won't stop talking about leaving and never coming back, even Steve talks about "leaving this shithole behind".

Is Soda the only one that likes it there? The whole Soc-greaser conflict has calmed down, anyway.

Is it really that bad to not want to leave?

The way I'm holding onto all these memories

Is it really that bad to want to stay in the only place he can remember his parents? The only place Johnny ever lived, the only place he ever knew Dally?

Is it really that bad to want to stay in his childhood city, to not want to escape from a place that has been nothing but inviting to him? Why is everyone obsessed with leaving, with getting out of the city?

It's not perfect, but it's home, and it's all Soda knows. Nowhere else will be perfect either.

Is he the only one to realise that?

I hope you're happy, but I miss you madly

Ponyboy calls them sometimes, but he mainly sends letters. They take longer, but he really puts the time in and tells them everything. He has a friend named Mike, apparently, who he's been spending a lot of time with.

Even helps with the nightmares, sometimes, he says.

Jealousy is an ugly emotion, and Sodapop can't believe it's his reaction to Ponyboy getting the help he needs.

But if he no longer needs him, if his brothers don't need him to be there for them, what's he even there for? He always knew he wouldn't get far in school, or get a high brow job. He would work in a filling station the rest of his life, and that was fine when he had Sandy and Steve and Darry and Ponyboy.

Sandy's in Florida now, Steve's found a new job, Darry's saving up, and Ponyboy's already left.

With all of them gone, what's left in Soda?

Don't hold it against me, but I'm not even close to

Soda's emotions have always been big, overflowing, taking up every part of him. Eventually, he can't hold them in any longer and they just fall out in a horrendous case of word vomit.

It happens now, too. Instead of Steve, as it tends to be, Darry is on the receiving end, and he's the one to have to wrap an arm around Soda's shoulders and tell him they won't leave him behind. He's the one to look around awkwardly, desperately, looking for someone to help him, and come up empty-handed.

Letting you go yet, reality's frozen

He can't bring himself to accept it. His mind has frozen the world around him because he can't process that people are leaving, leaving him behind to deal with everything alone.

The Earth is turning, the world won't stop moving, their home is falling apart—

But in Soda's little bubble, everything has stayed the same.

'Cause I can't take the photos of us off the shelf

And even years later, when he's living in a small apartment in New York with Steve, his nightstand is still littered with photos of his brothers, smattered across the country.

Darry in community college, Ponyboy teaching English in a city where no one knows him. And Soda's with Steve, fighting for their rights, pretending like they aren't scared of being beaten.

They send letters, they call sometimes, but it's not the same. And Soda still falls asleep looking at those photos.

I never knew a heart could break itself

[r0cky-road]

Sodapop.

“My mother’s ring. Its hangs from my neck, the cord heavy and the implication even heavier. My mother can no longer hold me while I cry, so I hold the ring. The little comfort it brings me is pathetic. Oh how I wonder what happened to her ring after I passed.”

[jaidens]

may I have a dark shaken espresso with Sodapop please?

Darling, I'd Wait For You —

pairing [s] : sodapop curtis x reader

warning [s] : mentions of : crying, breakups | this took so long, I couldn't think about anything to write abt i apologize!!

a/n [s] : requests are open! this is a part of my 350 followers celebration!

When your, trashy, ex-boyfriend decides to leave you for a one-hour hookup he was convinced would stay: it hurt you more than you imagined. Originally, your feelings were influenced with anger and hatred for seeing a random girl and your boyfriend thrusting into her. You ran, and ran until your legs were burning worse than the frosty air and tears that gathered in your eyes and down your cheeks.

Coincidentally, Sodapop had been driving home from work when he noticed a girl crying on the park benches. The snow that fell worried him, so he gathered his jacket and got out of his truck. “Hey! What are you doing out in this weather?” You ripped your head up at the voice, which you had recognized to be Soda’s, yelling at you. You felt completely broken and weak as Soda was in front of you.

“Y/N, hey, hey, what are you doing out here?” His voice is softer and slightly above a whisper, hoping to not scare you. He's only seen you like this so many times, and it scares him more than usual seeing the way you shake. His jacket wraps around you, and you can't help but jump into his arms. “C’mon. The truck is just over there.” He picks you up, hand going underneath your thighs as he brings you over to the truck.

You're numb as he places you inside the seat, and you buckle yourself in. The radio is playing Elvis quietly. Sodapop glances at you before beginning to drive on the road once more. The warm feeling of Sodapop radiates off as he hums and sings along to the gentle radio. Admittedly, throughout your relationship with your ex-boyfriend, there had been some stares and longing hugs you shared with Soda.

The truck stops at the Curtis house. The window blinds are shut, but lights are still turned on signifying not everyone had been asleep.

You walk to his bedroom, passing by a asleep Two-Bit and Dallas. You go into his bedroom and pull on his sweatshirt that was hanging on his door. It hangs loose, but it warms up your arms.

Moments later, Sodapop comes back with two cups of hot chocolate. You're in his thick Will Rodgers Highschool Football 1965 sweater, with a blanket pulled up to your legs. “Hey, tell me what happened if you're already.” Sodapop reassures and sets down the cups on Ponyboy’s small table that had books stacked up on each other.

“I caught him, Rich was— with another girl and said he was leaving me for her.” As soon as the words leave your mouth, the tears bud up and your lip starts to quiver. Sodapop immediately sits up and pulls you into his arms and you cry into his well-built shoulder. Through the walls you tried to put up, they immediately fell down.

His hand runs slowly, patting a little bit. It shows that he's there for you, letting you know that you'll be alright. You pull away and Sodapop’s hands go to your face and he makes you look up at him. “You didn't deserve him at all. He was such a dick— you didn't deserve any of that to happen.” The words are foreign to your ears, but Sodapop’s care isn't.

“You are so worth it, and absolutely loved. Rich had no idea how much you love.” You laugh before hugging him tightly. You always felt better with Sodapop as if he was a drug, but he radiated sunshine and happiness. “Thank you, god just thank you.”

You lay in his arms, and he scratches the back of your neck. You slowly relax and stretch out your bones as you begin to get undeniably tired. “Stay here tonight. I'll bring you home in the morning.”

[tera-ixie]

Soda letting him in because he can’t bring himself to leave him out in the cold, he knows he should slam the door in his face for everything that he’s done to him, but he just can’t. Something about the look in Chet’s eyes, that defeated, tired almost desperate hopeless look, brings Soda back to when they were just boys, before they were Greasers and Socs. When they were seven and Chet had told him about how his dad would sometimes come home angry and start screaming, how his mother used to tell him to go to his room and lock the door, how he could hear her sobbing. Soda just can’t turn his back on that Chet, because he still cares so deeply for that Chet. He’s an idiot but he can’t make himself hate Chet Baker.

@theysayalltheworldsastage here’s some more

Chet showing up at the Curtis’s door after his father kicked him out of the house, bruised and broken down, not knowing where the hell else to go, not knowing who else to run to but Soda and hating himself for it.

[sarcasticallyexplicit11]

I think some people forget that Darry lost his parents too. His grief isn’t loud. His grief is a quiet gnawing on his heart and his soul until there’s nothing left for it to chew. People remember that Ponyboy and Soda lost their parents because they’re young, they grieve loud and wildly and so hard that you’ll always know they lost someone. Darry hides his pain away under lock and key so that he can stay a life raft for his brothers to cling onto. But one day the lock is going to snap, and people will remember: they were Darry’s parents too.