Coming Home Pt. 2

Darry and I walked back inside after Soda left and I decided I was going to go back to sleep since it was summer and I had nowhere to be later.

"Darry I'm going back to bed Ok?"

He turned to look at me.

"Ok are you sure you are ok to sleep by yourself?"

"Yeah the sun is coming up, I'll be fine."

He nodded and I walked back into Soda and I's room. I flopped on our bed and rolled onto Soda's side. It was still warm from his body heat. I cuddled into the mattress and breathed in the comforting sent of gasoline and bubble gum. Soon my eyes were closed and I was asleep.

Darry's POV

Unlike Pony I did not go back to sleep. It was Wednesday I had to be to work in about an hour anyway. I went into the kitchen and poured myself another cup of coffee. As I sat down at our worn out dinner table I began to think. Before I knew it a half hour had passed and I was going to be late if I didn't hurry up.

I went to my room and found some socks and my boots. I had already showered and gotten dressed. I went to the living room after putting my shoes on found my tool belt. Before I left I walked back and checked on Pony. He was sound asleep on Soda's side of the bed. I smiled and pushed his hair back gently. I left him five bucks and a note on the fridge and left for work.

Pony's POV

When I woke up it was nine o'clock and the sunlight was coming through the window at the perfect angle to hit right on my face. I groaned and rolled over but quickly realized I would never get back to sleep. Damn sun. I rolled out of bed and dragged myself to the kitchen. I noticed five bucks and a note from Darry on the fridge that said,

Pony,

I should be home around five o'clock. Don't go too far from the house and be home for dinner.

Love, Darry

I boiled some eggs for breakfast and took them to the living room to eat. There was nothing good on TV so I passed the time by reading To Kill a Mockingbird. It was one of my favorite books. Darry bought me my copy for my thirteenth birthday. Soda got me a switchblade and when mom and dad weren't looking him and Steve slipped me a playboy. That Dad later confiscated. Not that I was looking at it I had hid it in the very bottom drawer of my desk.

The day passed by very quickly at one or so I walked to the DX and bought a Pepsi from Soda's co-worker Brain. Then walked to the library to check out a book on Scottish kings which from what I've heard Darry would tan my ass if he caught me reading some of the content. But of well what he doesn't know won't hurt him.

After I got home it was already three and I watched re-runs of the Addams Family until Darry got home at 4:45. I was sprawled out on the couch when he got home and seeing him made me realize that I had barely missed Soda all day. I guess he was right. He came in and sat down in his arm chair to unlace his work boots.

"Hey Ponyboy, How was your day?"

He leaned back in his chair and I turned the TV down so I could hear him better.

"It was good. I went to the DX and the library."

I told him about the book I checked out leaving out a few key parts. At five he started dinner, we were having beef tips and rice because it was quick and easy to make. Dinner was eaten in comfortable silence without Soda there to blab our ears off. I did miss Soda but I guess I just felt like it dose when he works a late shift or goes out with Steve.

After Dinner I went to my room to read my book, something I could do for hours and before I knew it Darry was at the door telling me to get ready for bed. I went to the bathroom and took a really quick shower. I showed at night because there wasn't enough hot water for all three of us to shower in the morning. Then brushed my teeth and threw on some of Soda's old sweat pants and a green t-shirt with holes.

Normally I only slept in my sweat pants but for some reason the felt wrong with Darry. After I was done in the bathroom I took a deep breath outside the door and slowly made my way to Darry's room, stalling as long as I could. One I reached the door it was open and Darry was just pulling a shirt over his head.

He looked over at me, I guess he sensed my presence.

"Ready Ponyboy?"

I nodded timidly. I haven't slept with Darry since I was like eight and I didn't know where to even begin. He gestured toward the bed,

"You get in first."

I was surprised to see everything was how I liked it and suddenly felt better. I guess Soda was looking out for me. I climbed into bed and put my back to the wall so I faced Darry as he climbed in beside me. I didn't want to make him uncomfortable so I didn't snuggled up to him as I would have done with Soda. Darry laid on his back and said,

"Goodnight Pony."

"Night Darry."

A couple minutes passed with me pressed as far away from him as I could get. In fact I felt myself slowly falling into the crack between the wall and his bed. Darry shifted, turning to face me with his eyes still closed.

"Pony?"

I internally debated whether to pretend to be asleep or answer him and in the end I doubt pretending would do any good.

"Yeah?"

He sighed,

"I know I'm not Soda but I won't bite. You come away from the wall a little."

His eyes stayed closed even as I moved out of the crack and turned around so my back was to him but still not very close to him. Then Darry made no noise as he took his arm and pulled me to his chest. I suddenly felt much better knowing Darry wanted me close to him and snuggled back against him. He sighed contently making his breath tickle my hair. I suddenly missed Soda as I remembered this is how we slept but forgot as soon as Darry started to rub my hair gently and I feel in to a deep sleep feeling completely safe.