Chapter Text
A few days had passed since everyone had their big fight about why Ponyboy was depressed, without him even present, but everything in the house was still tense. This led to Pony and Curly spending days just roaming around.
They were walking down the same street where they ran into Darry that one time, when the heat finally started getting to them.
Pony cracked first, “Curly, it’s like ninety seven degrees out here. How are you still in that stupid jacket?”
This earned him a chuckle from the older greaser, “Aw Ponykid it’s barely eighty five, stop complainin,’” he started, “and I’m nobody without my signature look!”
They were both laughing when they spotted the nicest car they’d ever seen, a bright red stingray. It was similar to Cherry’s car, but it was obviously a newer model.
The kids looked at each other and smiled as the best idea they’d had all summer dawned on them. They were going to steal that car, and they were going to have fun with it.
They made quick work of the hot-wiring job, as both of them had done it multiple times before. At first they were just cruising down the street when they heard it.
“Hey! Those are the punks that stole my car!”
It came from some random soc, they didn’t care to find out who it was, just to get away from him. So they drove away. Fast. Fast enough to get a cop's attention. Then the cop found out the car was stolen and called more cops.
They were fucked.
Once they finally got stopped and were identified as a Shephard and a Curtis they were immediately arrested.
So, there they were, in a holding cell at the police station. The boys sat and discussed what to do next, and who to call.
Curly went first, “I can’t call Tim, some of the lower guys haven’t been selling as much recently so we’re a little short on cash right now.” He was out of options, Tim was his only family, besides Angela but she wouldn’t do shit for him in this situation.
“I think we both know why I can’t call Soda, he’ll skin both of us alive. And probably ban me from hanging out with you all together.” He added on as an afterthought.
They sat in silence for a moment until Curly got an idea. “What if we call Cherry? She’s rich and she likes you enough to come bail us out.”
This piqued Pony’s interest, “Yeah that sounds good.” He said just as the guard came over their cell.
“Shephard, you’re up!” He yelled unlocking the door.
Pony was left alone with his thoughts as his boyfriend made the call. If Cherry wasn’t able to come get them, or didn’t answer, he would be forced to call his house.
Just as he was coming to term with his thoughts, Curly was let back in. “No dice, she’s grounded right now.” He said somberly, “You’ll have to call your house.”
Now his worst fears have been confirmed. He was stressed as he was led to the phone and dialed the number.
————
It was a normal day for the gang. As normal as it could get around here.
Steve and Dallas were fighting for the remote when Johnny walked in, holding a pizza box.
“I got a pizza delivery for a ‘Two Bit Matthews.’”
This caught everyone’s attention, then the man in question spoke.
“I’m Two Bit Matthews but I would never order a whole pizza for myself, I mean I’ll take it but,” he stood up, “You guys have to believe me, I would never order a whole pizza for myself though-”
He got cut off by Soda coming out of the bathroom freshly showered. “Yeah yeah we get it ‘you’re Two Bit you would never order the pizza,’ now would someone answer the damn phone?”
Dally, being the closest, groaned and got up. “Curtis house”
“Dally, is Soda there?” That was Ponyboy.
“Yeah? It is his house, y'know. And what’s up
with you, you sound panicked.” He said, calling for Soda to come over, “It’s Pony, he sounds scared.”
Soda took the phone, “Hey Pony, what’s up?”
“Soda, I need you to come pick me up. And Curly, he’s here too.” Damn, Dally was right he did sound scared.
This threw Soda into overdrive, instantly worried for his kid brother. “Yeah, what happened, where are you?”
“We’re uh, at the police station?”
“What.” The whole gang was silent now, listening to the conversation. “Ponyboy Michael Curtis, did you and Curly get arrested?” He was trying to remain calm but anyone who knows him could tell how pissed he was.
“Maybe?” Was all that was heard from the other line.
“I’m calling Tim, we’ll be there soon.” He hung up and immediately called the Shepherd house. He started as soon as the line clicked. “You’ll never guess what our brothers did.”
———
Pony was walked back to the cell and was met with Curly’s smiling face. He wouldn’t be smiling for long. “He’s on his way, but he called Tim.”
Curly’s face dropped, “What.” Pony just gave him a look. They both knew they were fucked, and just sat in silence until the guard came back for them, about 30 minutes later.
Tim looked like he was having the time of his life, while Sodapop looked like he had just sucked on a sour lemon.
The ride home was tense, insanely tense, Pony could tell that he would get flamed as soon as they got home.
They got home and Pony went straight to his room, until dinner was finished cooking. The table was tense until Soda finally spoke up.
“I don’t want you hanging around with Curly anymore.” He said nonchalantly, like he hadn’t just basically ruined his brother’s life.
“What!?” Pony practically screamed, getting angrier by the second, “Why?!”
“I just don’t think that he’s good for you.” Soda said, still trying to keep the peace.
It didn’t work, obviously, and Pony screamed, “How do you know what’s good for me?”
“That’s my opinion!” That shut the table up quickly, the whole gang stopping to stare. “And as your brother and legal guardian I’d say my opinion matters plenty.”
The silence was deafening, but it didn’t stop Soda, “You can’t be getting yourself arrested Ponyboy, you’ll get yourself taken by the state and I can’t have that.”
Pony stopped at that and decided to be the bigger person, only because he didn’t have an argument, “I can’t be around you tonight, I’m leaving,” he stormed to the door, not even bothering to get clothes, “I’m going to the Shepard’s, don’t follow me.” And with that he left.
————-
He didn’t bother knocking on the door, just going straight in and straight to his boyfriend’s room, he knew he was in there.
Pony broke down as soon as he shut the bedroom door, crying into a confused Curly’s arms.
He explained all about the argument, and decided to just sit there, enveloped by someone who actually loved him. Thinking that his brother had surely given up on him by now.