Steve Pov

Five hours later I stood outside the Curtis house, debating whether or not I was man enough to go through with this. I'd hovered around their street for the last five hours, nearly plucking up the courage to walk through their gate then bottling out at the last minute. As time had passed and the sun had started to set any sense of self-worth I'd managed to selvage had ebbed away. I wasn't feeling anything anymore, so I guess I had nothing to lose.

I took a deep breath before bounding up the porch steps and bursting through the door. I blinked in the bright lights of the living room and looked around, half expecting Darry's fist to slam into my face before I'd even stepped onto the door mat. Soda ambled lazily into the room from down the hall and glanced in my direction. I felt my stomach summersault; but better Soda than Darry I guess.

"Hey Stevie." Soda said easily, going through to the kitchen. "You missed dinner but there's leftovers in the fridge if you wanna heat them up."

"Oh, uh thanks." I said, looking round in confusion. I wasn't quiet sure what I was expecting, but this definitely wasn't it. "Where's uh, Ponyboy?"

"Huh? Oh Darry sent him to his room because he wouldn't help make dinner, he'll be allowed out soon though I expect." He stuck his head through the kitchen doorway and grinned at me. "You can come in you know Steve, you don't have to stand in the doorway forever!"

I managed a shaky laugh and stepped inside. "Oh yeah, sorry. I was just thinking y'know."

I collapsed in Darry's armchair, exhausted emotionally and physically from they day's events. I could here Soda banging pots around in the kitchen and the deep murmur of Darry's voice down the hall. I knew he was probably talking to Ponyboy who could be telling him everything that had happened right this very second, but I was too tired to move from this chair, let alone worry about something I knew I had coming to me anyway. That was why I came here, right, to face the music.

Pony walked into the living room a couple of minutes later. I got a good look at him before he realised I was sitting there. He was cradling his arm close to his stomach and his eyes were slightly red-rimmed, but apart from that he looked exactly how he normally did. He'd changed into a long sleeved sweatshirt, despite the stifling heat. He froze on the spot when he saw me sitting there. Darry was walking behind him and nearly crashed right into him.

"Ponyboy!" He snapped in annoyance. "Don't just stop like that! I nearly knocked you flying. Honestly I don't what's wrong with you tonight, you've been acting funny ever since you got home. Whatever it is I want it sorted out as soon as possible alright. We saved you some dinner, you wanna come eat?"

Pony shook his head, his eyes still fixed on me. "No thanks, I'm not hungry. I think I'll just….watch some tv or something."

"Well ok, but not for too long alright. I want you to eat tonight ok?" Ponyboy nodded and Darry manoeuvred around him into the kitchen. Pony sniffed self-consciously before slowly making his way over to the couch and carefully sitting down. He reached up behind him with his good hand and grabbed a pillow, putting it in his lap and resting his bad wrist on it. I heard him sigh in relief.

We sat there in silence for the next ten minutes until finally I couldn't take it anymore; I knew what I had to do. I leaned over to Ponyboy, resting my arm of the edge of the couch. He continued to stare at the tv.

"Ponyboy," I said softly, a note of pleading appearing in my voice. He turned his head slightly to look at me. "I'm so, so, sor --"

"Hello Curtis's!" Two-Bit yelled, throwing the door open with such enthusiasm you would never have guessed he'd only seen us all the day before.

"Hey Two-Bit!" Soda called back, his amusement apparent in his voice.

"Jesus Two-Bit, you're gonna break that door one of these days." Darry muttered just like he did every time Two-Bit entered the house.

"Hi Two-Bit." I said flatly, knowing that my chance to apologise to Pony had already disappeared. Two-Bit grinned, satisfied that he's made a big enough entrance. He sidled up to the couch and plopped heavily down next to Ponyboy. The couch jerked under his weight and I saw Ponyboy cringe as the movement jarred his arm.

"Hey kid, ain't you gonna say hi to you're old buddy Two-Bit?" Two-Bit grinned warmly at Ponyboy and Pony smiled weakly back.

"Hey Two-Bit." He said softly, his face tense with pain.

"That's ok Pone, don't get too excited. I know you're pleased to see me but you don't have to sound so happy about it!" Soda let out a laugh from the kitchen and I heard Darry tut.

"See if you can cheer him up a bit Two-Bit, he's been in a bad mood all afternoon."

"I'm not in a bad mood." Pony said tersely, glaring at Darry who simply raised his eyebrows in return. I knew from the look on Two-Bit's face that the damage had already been done and it was too late for me to do anything to stop it.

"Well now, I know just how to cheer this kid up!" Two-Bit declared, beaming mischievously. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Soda stick his head around the kitchen door, realising what Two-Bit was about to do and wanting a good view of the show. I head Darry chuckle to himself, he knew what was about to happen too.

It took Ponyboy a little longer to realise what Two-Bit meant and by the time he did it was too late. He tried to get up of the sofa, managing to choke out a strangled "Two-Bit no!" before Two-Bit grabbed hold of his bad arm, pulling it out of the way as he plunged his fingers into Pony's stomach.

Pony screamed like I've never heard anybody scream before and I hope I never will again. It sounded so terrifyingly desperate and raw that it made my blood run cold. Two-Bit snatched his hands away from Ponyboy instantly, his face a mixture of fear, confusion and embarrassment. Soda immediately stopped laughing and ran to Pony's side, closely flowed by Darry. I just sat in Darry's chair, unable to move or feel or think.

Pony was sobbing by now, harsh gut wrenching sobs that shook his whole body. He'd curled himself up into a tight ball on the couch, his head half resting in Two-Bit's lap. Both Darry and Soda were grabbing at him desperately, trying to sooth and quiet and uncurl Ponyboy all at once.

"What the Hell happened?!" Darry roared over Pony's sobs, looking accusingly at Two-Bit.

Two-Bit help his hands up in front of him defensively. "Hey man, I swear I didn't do anything. I swear to God, I just started to tickle him. Steve you saw it, I didn't do anything did I? I don't understand it…nothing happened!" Two-Bit looked like he was about to start bawling right there on the couch and I hated myself for it. It should be me Darry was glaring at furiously.

"Two-Bit's right Darry, he didn't do anything, he hardly touched the kid." I head myself verify Two-Bit's story.

Sodapop was bent over Ponyboy, whispering into his ear, his extra weight pressing down on Pony's wrist. I wanted to tell him to stop, that he was making it worse, but I couldn't say a word. I take back what I said before, I was cowardly and pathetic. I'd rather watch my best friend's little brother writhe in pain that admit that I was the one that had fucked up. Pony was wriggling around now, probably trying to throw Soda off him. It had the opposite effect however as Soda just hugged Pony tighter, trying to contain his struggles by force.

"Is he having a fit or something?!" Two-Bit looked at Darry anxiously, hoping he could explain what the hell was going on.

Darry shook his head hopelessly as Soda shouted frantically, "Ponyboy stop it! Stop it right now!"

Before I knew what was happening I'd leapt to my feet and hauled Soda away from Ponyboy, holding him back as tears slid down his cheeks. "What's wrong with him Steve?!" He sobbed, staring at Ponyboy despairingly. "Why won't he stop?"

I shook my head as I didn't trust myself to speak. The room descended into quiet broken only by Pony's muffled sobs. "Move out the way Two-Bit." Darry barked crossly, pushing Two-Bit off the couch so he could take his seat next to Ponyboy. Two-Bit stood up and moved over to the other side of the room, leaning against the wall and watching Pony with heavy guilt-filled eyes. The rest of us followed suit and slowly Pony's sobs began to slow down and his body stopped shaking.

Darry cautiously reached out and touched Pony's hair, starting to softly stroke it once he realised his touch wasn't scaring him. After a few more minutes Darry felt it safe enough to try and sit Pony up. I held by breath as I watched Darry reach for him, but luckily he grasped Pony's shoulders.

Pony's face was tear-streaked, his eyes red and puffy. Darry gently brushed a strand of hair from his face before stroking his cheek. "Baby," he said soothingly. "What on earth's wrong?"

Pony drew in a deep shuddering breath before whispering, "My arm." Darry glanced down confused, probably looking for blood or something. The rest of us stared too and the tone of the room shifted as we all saw five swollen fingers poking out of Pony's sweatshirt sleeve. Darry reached to grab Pony's arm but Pony let out a sob, pushing himself further into the sofa.

"I gotta roll your sleeve up Pone, else I can't see what's wrong." Darry reached for Pony again.

"No!" Pony shouted, shaking his head frantically. "You'll hurt me…"

I saw Darry jerk slightly, like he'd just been punched in the stomach or something. "I'm not going to hurt you Ponyboy," he choked out. "But I need to see your arm. How about we take your shirt off instead? I promise I won't touch your arm."

Pony blinked at him, taking a shuddering breath before whispering, "You promise?"

Darry nodded, already tugging at Pony's right sleeve. "Cross my heart."

He turned to Soda and I watched as their eyes met, a silent exchange taking place between them. Soda shook himself free of my hold and crouched down in front of Ponyboy. He placed his hands on either side of Pony's face and stared steadily into his eyes.

"Guess what happened at the DX today Pone." Soda said, his voice calm and even and his eyes unblinking. Pony sniffed and a tear trickled onto Soda's fingers.

"I don't know…" Pony said softly, his eyes flicking away from Soda's to watch Darry pull his right arm out of his sleeve. Soda tapped Pony's cheek with his hand, forcing Pony to look at him again.

"Well I'll tell you. This real funny thing happened. I was just checking this car over ok? It was a real nice car too, all red and shiny and new. God only knows why the owner let a dirty old mechanic like me anywhere near it, but he did. Anyway…" I knew what Soda was trying to do, I'd done it enough times with Josh. When my dad was rip-roaring drunk and smashing things up or my mom was sobbing and shouting and cussing and choking all at he same time I'd make him sit beside me and cover up one of his ears with my hand. I'd shove my head really close to his and I'd whisper-sing lullabies in his other ear to try and distract him from everything bad that was happening around us. Josh always liked songs, guess Ponyboy preferred stories. "…and then this man's stupid fat dog came and sat next to me while I was checking under the bonnet. Now this dog was real ugly, musta been the ugliest dog I ever saw…"

Darry shoots a look at Soda and Soda nods abruptly, still muttering about some ugly dog. He keeps talking as Darry and he switch places, but he has to break eye contact with Pony. The kid blinks and glances around, like he's only just realised where he is and what's happening. He sees Darry crouched in front of him and realises that soon he's gonna pull his bad arm out of his sleeve. Pony opens his mouth like he's about to protest but Darry quickly jerks Pony's sweatshirt over his head before he can get the words out. As soon as Darry's pulled the shirt off his head Soda grabs Pony's chin and turns his head away.

"So there I was just staring at this man and his ugly dog. There's nothing wrong with you're car mister, I tell him. Well thank you son, he says, here's a big juicy tip for you. Then he gets in his nice car and drives off. So I was thinking Pone…" Soda's eyes drift towards Pony's arm which Darry is gently starting to slide out of his sleeve. Pony sucks in a deep breath and presses his lips tightly together as Soda grabs hold of his hand and squeezes it encouragingly. "I was thinking what we could spend that extra money on. You got any ideas? I think we should start with a meal out at the Dingo, then maybe we could go and see a movie, all of us together…"

Pony whimpers as the material slips over his wrist, despite Darry being so gentle. I've seen him get the kid undressed loadsa times when he's fallen asleep fully dressed but he's never needed to be this careful before. Ponyboy gasps out as his sweatshirt finally slips off his arm then collapses against Soda's chest.

"Good boy Pone," Soda mumbles, kissing Pony's head. "Good boy."

Darry sits back on his knees, rubbing his temples tiredly. "We need to get him to the hospital, his arm's broken." My face twists in disgust as I stare at Pony's arm, but I dunno if I'm disgusted at myself for causing it or at his arm itself. Maybe both. Pony's arm has swelled to about twice its normal size and it's a strange colour, kinda like a bruise but more red.

"Jesus." Two-Bit mutters.

"Sit him up Soda," Darry orders and Soda does, propping Pony up against the sofa. Darry starts to make a sling out of Pony's sweatshirt, tying the arms around Pony's neck while Soda tries to wipe away the tears that keep sliding down Pony's face.

"What happened Pony?" Soda asks the question I've been dreading as Darry sits back and examines his handiwork. "Did you…I dunno…fall over or something?"

Ponyboy sighs and shakes his head. Part of me wants to bolt out the door right this second but my feet are firmly rooted to the floor. Pony quits crying suddenly and looks up at me. Soda looks confused as he follows his gaze.

"Well what happened then?" Pony takes a deep breath and I try to make myself go numb. I close my eyes and wait for all Hell to break lose.

"I fell off my bike." Pony says calmly and clearly. My eyes jerk open and he's still staring straight at me. If I weren't already sitting down I think I might have collapsed.

"You fell off your bike?" Darry repeats disbelievingly. "Pony you don't even own a bike."

Soda reaches forward and put his palm on Pony's forehead. "He feels a bit hot Dar, maybe he's…y'know confused?"

Pony moves away from Soda's touch and reluctantly drags his eyes away from me. "No I'm fine. It wasn't my bike I fell off, it was some kid's from down the street. We were messing around on it, trying to ride it together and stuff. I was balancing on the back and he rode over a rock of something and I fell off and landed on my wrist." Damn, that kid's a good liar.

"Jesus, both Pony and Josh in a week huh? Damn bikes are like a death trap." Two-Bit tries to force a laugh but it catches in the back of his throat. Neither Darry or Soda seem to notice Two-Bit's comment but I feel the blood drain from my face.

I can tell Darry and Soda have bought his story. Darry's shaking his head and I know he's trying to keep from getting mad at Ponyboy for not using his head. Soda knows it too and quickly stands up, pulling Pony up after him. "Come on Dar, we gotta go to the hospital. Pony's still in pain y'know."

"Yeah ok, I'm coming." Darry grabs his keys off the dresser and starts to follow them out the door. He pauses and turns round as if to say something to us but changes his mind at the last minute and dashes out instead.

Twenty seconds later me and Two-Bit hear the truck roar off. We stand there in silence for a minute then Two-Bit looks up at me. "Fucking Hell…" he breathes, shaking his head. "I really thought I'd hurt him Steve."

I want to say something to make him feel better but I've never been much good at comforting people so we just stare at each other for a minute, both feeling like shit. "I need to go!" Two-Bit blurts suddenly, running out the door and down the sidewalk before I can decide whether I want to stop him or not. I know where he's going. He's going to drink himself stupid until he can't even remember his name let alone everything that's happened this evening.

Now it's just me, all alone in the Curtis house. Darry's chair feels soft and reassuringly solid against my back but that only makes me feel worse because I know I don't deserve comfort; especially not from Darry's chair. The living room is getting darker by the second but I can't be bother to turn the lights on. I can't be bothered to do anything actually, I just sit there trying not to think about stuff but failing.

Suddenly the front door crashes open and I can just make out Josh standing there. He peers as me through the gloom, "Steve? Steve what's wrong? Are you ok? Why are you sitting in the dark?"

He stands up on tip-toe and reaches up, flicking on the light switch. I stare at him as he stands in the doorway. "Steve," he says desperately, like he's been wanting to tell me for a long time. "Ponyboy knows I didn't fall off my bike."

I gape at him for a moment before hurtling into the bathroom and throwing-up in the sink.

Thank you to everyone that reviewed, I was worried people might've lost interest in this story since I didn't update it for so long, but it's nice to know people are still reading. Seriously, your reviews make my day!

Smile x