*I don't own The Outsiders. I don't own the song lyrics, The Temptations do.

(PPOV)

After all the shit with Mr. Lucas, the trial, and the state, I was happily put back into the home I shouldn't have ever left in the first place. One of the good things that came out of this was Robin has finally been put in a good home. Not only that, but she's beaten her record, she's been in a good home for more than three months.

The best part of it is she's living in Tulsa.

It seems like yesterday that me and Robin were fighting for our lives. I still feel bad that Mrs. Lucas died, so does Robin, but we've both moved on. Unbelievably, it was five years ago, the last time I was in that God forsaken house.

One of the most screwed up things is I still hate going anywhere near our basement. Fortunately, there isn't reason to go down there often. Well, at least our basement has windows I can fit through if I were to get locked down there somehow.

That's a completely stupid thought since our basement door doesn't have a lock. I guess it's just a fear I'll have to deal with. Anyone else would probably feel the same if they were stuck in a basement for nearly an entire week. I shuddered at the very thought. There isn't anything worse than being held somewhere against your will.

I shoved those thoughts away. I was safe now, home with my brothers, the gang, and Robin.

After everything that we went through at the Lucas House, me and Robin could make it through anything. We just go together; we weren't total opposite but different enough that it makes things interesting. We had complete confidence in one another and there was nothing stressful about us.

I know I sound like a total cliché but it's all true. I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. She is everything I want and need, everything is perfect.

Tonight I was bringing her out on a date. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary; we always go out and have a good time. Now that I'm nineteen, Darry can't tell me that I need to be home at midnight. I can stay out as long as I feel.

Sometimes Robin and I will head out with the gang, which always promises an interesting, if not great, time. It's kind of weird at the same time. Darry and I had struggled to find out where out brother, guardian relationship worked out when Mom and Dad first died. Now, we're trying to figure out the more brotherly approach to it.

The other night, he was at the same party as Robin and I. Steve, Soda, Two-Bit, Dally, and Johnny were there too, most of them with some girl. It was fun, but weird with Darry there. We've been through this awkwardness before; we'll get through it again.

He's learning to step back and allow me to make my own decisions, while I learn how to step up and make the right decisions for myself. It's a delicate balance at times, but it's working out pretty well.

I walked down the street with a purpose. I was going to the local flower shop, not somewhere I'd been many times before. I went there once as a child with my Mom. I was too young to remember why we went, but I think it might've been for a floral arrangement for a funeral. I remember Soda and I ripped up some really pretty flower because we thought Mom would like it. I guess the two of us were too adorable because instead of the man behind the counter laughed at us, instead of yelled. Either that, or Mom bought an expensive flower arrangement, which I doubt.

I had gone to the library and carefully constructed what I wanted in the bouquet for Robin. She isn't really the flower and jewelry type of girl, more like let me ride that motorcycle or Corvette over there and it's all good. (Even when it's not ours to ride. Good thing I'm pretty good at talking het out of stupid ideas…unless I agree with the stupid idea, better not to get into that.)

I told the lady behind the counter exactly what I wanted, right down to the colors. She was over the hill so to speak but, she has one of those faces that you can tell she must've been gorgeous when she was younger. Kind of like age may have added a few laugh lines but, if anything, it added to her character.

I watched as her hands as they gently picked and prodded the flowers into the perfect patter. She wounded it up in a silvery paper, tied with gold and silver strings that she curled with the blade of the scissors. It really was an art all on its own; she made the flowers look unbelievable.

I paid and she handed them over gently, I promised her that I'd take care of them. No way was I going to ruin this, it was perfect, better than I expected.

The sun glinted off the water on the sidewalk from the light shower we had. It left a rainbow in the sky and I decided to take that as a sign for a very good night.

XXX

I made my way from the shower to my room. Nineteen years old, working through college to get my degree, my own apartment, and a great girlfriend, I don't think things could get much better. What I was actually doing in college was a huge argument between Darry and me though.

He wanted me to go out to the local business school. He wanted me to major in science or math. I absolutely refused, I told him he could spend the money on himself because there was no way in hell I'd be happy with a career in math or science. It just isn't me.

It basically came down to, I go and do what I want with my life, I won't go at all, or I'll find a way to send myself. Of course, I couldn't afford going to Henry Kendall College of Arts and Sciences, even with my half paid ride I received from a track scholarship. There was still the hefty other half, books, and housing. Dar ended up agreeing with my terms and I'm majoring in English and have a minor in art. I love it.

I could've stayed at home, but Darry got a girlfriend who he seems serious about and I didn't want to be in the way. Soda already moved to his own place with Steve. Johnny, Dally, and Two-Bit have an apartment on the floor beneath Soda and Steve's place.

Everyone is real close, the way it should be. Robin was in her own apartment, but she wasn't heading to college any time soon. Her interest was in cars, believe it or not. She doesn't mind getting underneath and tinkering around with engines. She, Soda, and Steve are saving up for their own business. I don't know if they'd do a gas station, but they definitely want to have a mechanic shop.

I really think they'll make it. Robin's good with numbers and will have the determination and the iron fist to keep workers in check and to make good business decisions. Steve definitely has enough skills for all of them under the hood. Soda has the charm to draw in costumers and to be the face of the business, he knows what people want and I think he'd be good at advertising. The entire gang would pitch in to give a helping hand with constructing the place to their specifications. That would save money on building the place up.

Plus, everyone around Tulsa knows who Soda and Steve are, they know the quality of their work, and I wouldn't doubt that many costumers would follow them.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I had put weight back on and took the habit of working out a couple times a week. I was still lanky, the build of a runner, but had filled out some and had defined the muscles I do have. I slid on a black button up and dark jeans. I headed out to my Ford truck that Soda, Steve, and Robin fixed up as a going to college present. I checked to make sure I had everything and headed off to Robin's place.

"Talking about my girl. I've got sunshine on a cloudy day. With my girl…" I sang on the way, grinning to myself in nervous anticipation.

I hopped out and went inside to get her; we were quickly back on the road. I had a special night planned out. I drove until we were out of the city before I heard a huff of annoyance beside me, my mouth twitched into a smile.

"Where are we going?" Robin demanded. I looked at her, nice black jeans and a semi-dressy blue shirt. The color of the shirt was perfect with her flame of red hair, her cerulean eyes, and creamy soft skin that was a little pale by Tulsa standards. My girl is bea-u-ti-ful.

"Almost there, hold on a little bit longer."

"What do you have up that sleeve of yours?" She asked, looking over at the picnic basket in the back seat of the rusting truck. "Are we eating out in the dark?"

"The dark is a part of the plan," I told her.

"So I can't see you if you make an ass of yourself," she teased.

"Other way around, doll," I laughed.

I pulled over to the side of the road, parking and turning out the lights. I grabbed the picnic basket that held the flowers, a couple of cupcakes, and orange soda because its Robin's favorite. I handed her the flashlight and guided her with my free hand.

I could see the look of distaste on her face, which I expected. Robin is a city girl and walking even ten feet over some brush would irritate her. I chuckled, "It's not far, darling, promise," I kissed her cheek.

We broke into a small, beautiful clearing. I headed over to the center of it, we were surrounded by trees and you could hear owls cooing in the woods. It was so serene and the meadow looked majestic light by the moon.

I laid a blanket out and she sat on it, looking up at me with a what-the-hell-are-we-doing-here look on her face. I smiled reassuringly. We both sat down, and I pointed upwards. "You can't see all those stars in the city. My Dad use to bring all of us camping here when we were younger. Then, we'd go hunting in those trees right there, well deep into those trees. I had the best shot but couldn't stand the thought of shooting something," I chuckled. "I always loved it here."

"It's really wonderful, looks like a painting or something. I know I never seen that many stars before," she smiled.

"That's the point; I know you've been from city to city your whole life. I wanted to show you what was out here in the wilderness," I muttered the last part sarcastically. We weren't that far from the road, no way in hell was this considered wilderness.

"Well to me this is wilderness. We're surrounded by trees," she said. I laughed at her logic.

"I got something for you," I chuckled, nervously.

"Like what," she said, wearily.

I pulled out the bouquet of flowers. Her eyes widened and she took it from me. "It's absolutely gorgeous, do you know the flowers, I don't think I've seen them all before," Robin said, awed by the pretty petal of a bird of paradise.

"Well I picked them all specifically, I did research and everything. I'm a real botanist now. This, my darling, is a bird of paradise. It symbolized joyfulness, magnificence, and exciting and wondrous anticipation," I murmured in her ear. I fingered the glorious orange, purple, and yellow colored flower. There was more than one, but the reason I picked it, besides the meaning, was all the colors just one of them holds. I knew that would catch Robin's eye, and I was right.

"This one is a gladiolus. It stands for, strength of character," I quirked an eyebrow and her direction and she rolled her eyes. "It also means faithfulness, honor, and love at first sight," we both laughed at the last one. I thought she was a lying bitch when we first met and she thought I was a little kid with no spine to speak of.

I was happy she appreciated my humor, I didn't know if she'd like me making a joke out of these when flowers are generally a more serious thing with girls. I remember one time Darry picked flowers for a girl and supposedly they're used at funerals and the girl broke up with him…maybe it's just her, but I was a little worried about risking it.

I moved on from the pink flower to the elegant orange lily. I stroked its leaf with my thumb and looked back to Robin, "This is an orange lily, which you know. It literally is supposed to mean 'I burn for you.' Pretty much stands for how much passion I have for you," I grinned, blushing slightly.

She grinned and kissed my cheek, "Likewise, Ponyboy."

"The next one is a lily of the valley. It stands for sweetness and 'return to happiness.' I picked that one because I think it's a good pick for both our pasts together and before." She sniffed the flowers, looking thoughtful and nodded her agreement.

"The bluish purple flower is a forget-me-not. I think that's pretty self explanatory," I chuckled.

"I can't forget you even if I wanted to, which I don't think I ever would," her breath shook slightly with emotion. "This is so sweet, I can't believe how much thought you put into it," she laughed. "I would've been okay with just getting some flowers but, you did all that." She looked at the bundle, "I think I know what the red rose stands for."

"Undying love, it's a cliché but it fits," I said. She kissed me gently.

My eyes were still closed and out breaths mingled, my lips brushed her lips as I spoke, "You missed something."

We both opened our eyes; she looked confused, "What?"

"Looked at the note and read it out loud."

She glanced at me and snatched it from its silver and gold tie, "Robin, we've been through more than any person should have to go through. I'd always been the odd man out, always different somehow, someway. You make me feel like I belong somewhere. I know I do now, thanks to you. You've shown me I belong with you, to you. You showed me how to stand up for myself and what I believe, even when I think the whole world is against me," her voice was a chocked whisper; I could see tears in her eyes. "I don't think, I'll ever truly be able to tell you how much you mean to me, I love you doesn't begin to cover it all, but it'll have to do. I doubt I'll ever be able to show you how much I love you. You mean more to me than all the stars above us. I'd die a happy man if it was you're lying next to me every day," her breath caught in her throat. Softly she and I stated the last two words on the card, "Marry me."

I got up on a knee; she looked shocked, completely taken off guard. I didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing. I pulled the black velvet box out of my pocket and popped it open. I looked at her for the answer, "Hell yes!" She screamed, throwing her arms around me, nearly knocking me down.

She kissed me hard, and we pulled away. I wiped away at the tears that shined on her face from the limited light, "I love you so much, Robin. I never knew loving someone was so…encompassing," I murmured.

She kissed me again, "I love you too. You make me so happy."

We settled back down. She examined the simple white gold band with the square cut diamond. I saved up a long time for the perfect ring; I wouldn't give her anything less than perfect. She shook her head in disbelief.

Then she snorted, "Never thought I'd be the one crying over getting engaged. Who knew I was a flower type of girl? You're turning me into a sap!" She laughed.

"That's alright, doll, I love you anyways. Let's just say you got caught up in the moment," I snickered.

She scoffed loudly, "Like I didn't see some tears prickling your eyes!" She exclaimed.

I chuckled, blushing a little, "We can keep that to ourselves," I murmured. We laughed.

Hand down, best night of my life.

I've had this idea in my head since I started "Road Unknown." Are some of the ideas totally over done? Hell yes, but all my stories lack fluff, most of them are centered on the harder parts of life. I never write this sort of stuff, and I got the chance and I ran with it.

Next post may be awhile, I got a paper to write on gentic engineering and in order to write it I need to read this book on the subject (The Perfect Baby, it's crazy awesome and if you have any interest in genetics, then I suggest it). That's taking forever though. Not to mention, on top of that tests and quizes and Hamlet. So, I'm a little overwhelmed right now and I'm sorry you're going to have to wait a bit until I update.

Is someone interested in being my beta? PM me. Excuse typos is implied with that....lol.

Any ideas you have for this, PM me. If there's a specific scene you want done from a different POV, or some RobinxPony fluff you want me to write, give me the ideas and I'll see if I can give the idea justice.

Reviews would be great.