Hey guys! So school has started and updates will be slow for a while. So here's one last fic for the road until I have time to sit down and write…I promise to update as much as possible but here's one more to tide you up. It's a two-shot...AND it's my first "Outsiders" fic…enjoy!

This is for my cousin, who is a huge Soda fan. Hope you enjoy, girl!

Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!

~Rosey

He's Always Been Gold

PART ONE:

"Purple flapjacks! Get 'em while they're hot!" Soda grinned, tossing a plate of purple pan-cakes in front of his brothers Darry and Ponyboy.

Darry poked it with his fork, wincing. "If it wasn't your birthday, I wouldn't touch these, Pepsi-Cola."

"Oh you know you would," Soda laughed, sitting down and digging into his creation.

"I swear, you'd color bacon," Pony chuckled.

"Oh, that reminds me!" Soda jumped up, going over to the frying pan. "Green bacon, anybody?"

"You really shouldn't have to work on your birthday, little buddy," Darry insisted, holding up his hands. "I have an idea. I make breakfast."

"But I already did!" Soda rolled his eyes, smiling. "And it's my seventeenth birthday and YOU ARE EATING MY FOOD!"

Suddenly, the phone rang. "Saved by the bell," Darry muttered under his breath as he went over to the telephone. "Hello?" he asked into the receiver. He paused, his brow furrowing. "Yeah, he's here. Sure, here he is." He held the phone out. "It's for you, Soda."

"Thanks," Soda beamed, getting to his feet and taking the phone. "Hiya. Soda here." He paused, listening to the other end. His face sobered. "Yeah...I took the day off." He continued to listen. "How low?" He sighed. "Yeah, I can come in. Yeah, I'll be there in twenty minutes. 'K." Soda hung up the phone, facing his brothers with a small shrug. "That was the DX. I gotta go in to work. We're low today."

"What?" Pony got to his feet. "But even Darry took the day off! And I'm skipping track after school to be here to celebrate!"

"Hey, it's fine," Soda forced a smile, throwing on his DX shirt and heading to the door. "I'll be back tonight."

"Hey Soda," Darry got to his feet.

"Yeah?"

"Shoes."

Soda glanced down at his feet. "Right. Be right back."

As he dodged into his room to grab his shoes, Pony turned to Darry, crossing his arms. "It ain't fair. You took off for his birthday and I'm skipping track and he can't even be here."

"I know, I know," Darry sighed. "But while you're at school and he's at work maybe I can figure something out."

"Like a surprise party or something?"

"I ain't making any promises, Pone, but we'll see."

Soda came out of his room, now wearing his shoes and a slight smile. "I'll see you guys tonight. Dare, don't get into any trouble here alone today."

Darry chuckled. "I'll try not to, Pepsi-Cola."

And with that, Soda left the house, putting his base-ball cap on and whistling a non-sensical tune as he left.

-o-o-o-o-

"Who wants chocolate pancakes?" Mrs. Curtis smiled as she walked into the kitchen.

"IdoIdoIdo!" six year old Sodapop stumbled out of his room, jumping up and down excitedly.

"Me too!" ten year old Darry ran in, joining his brother at his mother's side.

"Mama," Soda looked up at Mrs. Curtis. "It's my birthday. Can I get 'em first? Darry'll take 'em all if I don't." He faced his older brother, sticking his tongue out at him. "Pig."

Darry glared at Soda before crossing his arms. "You don't act six, Soda. You act about as old as Ponyboy," Darry gestured to where their baby brother lay asleep on the couch, his thumb stuck into his mouth.

"Boys," Mrs. Curtis scolded gently. "Be nice. Soda, of course you may get one first. It's your special day," she kissed him on the head before turning to remove the pancakes from the griddle.

Darry sighed. Soda was Mama's favorite and it wasn't fair. Daddy was at work and wasn't there to stand up for his oldest son. Darry pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down, pouting the iconic ten-year-old pout. Suddenly, Soda came up beside him, mouth covered in chocolate crumbs. "Hey Darry now that I'm a big kid can I hang out with you and Two-Bit and Dallas?"

"You're not a big kid," Darry frowned. "You're just a little outsider."

-o-o-o-o-

Darry sat up in his arm-chair, waking up suddenly. He blinked a few times and then realized he had been dreaming. Re-living one of Soda's past birthdays that he had managed to screw up. Well not this year. He was going to give Soda the best Birthday possible. It was enough Soda had to work. He didn't need his big brother messing up another one of his birthdays. Up until he was about twelve Darry was jealous each time Soda's birthday rolled around, and after that he was always too busy working or doing school stuff or playing football to give Soda the attention he deserved. Not this time. This was the first birthday since their parents had passed away. And Darry wasn't about to just let Soda's seventeenth birthday slide. Darrel was the father now. And he was going to give Soda the birthday he deserved.

Well? There's part one! I'm not sure what to make of it since it's my first "Outsiders" fic, but your reviews shall tell me! :) Constructive criticism is welcomed, but flames will be used to toast yummy marshmellows.

Reviews get you a hug from the Outsider of your choice! :)

~Rosey