Dar Dar & Two-Cakes

Darry was at home on a Saturday night, doing the dishes. Pony was out at the movies with Johnny & Dally, and Soda was going to work late. It was getting late – the movie should be over by now, he thought, and wondered where Ponyboy was. But his question was immediately answered – he heard the door open.

"Hey, Ponyboy! In here." He heard some footsteps approaching, and went back to the dishes. "How was the movie?" he called. There was no answer. "Ponyboy?" Darry walked around the corner towards the front door. Two-Bit jumped out from the closet right next to Darry's head and screamed at the top of his lungs. Darry jumped and let out a choked yell. As soon as he realized who it was, Darry smacked him on the head. Two-Bit was laughing his head off. "Jesus, Two-Bit, you do that again and I'll smash your head through the window." This sobered him up pretty quick. Darry started to walk back towards the sink. When Two-Bit calmed down, he followed him.

"Hey, Dar Dar! Where're the kids?" he asked.

"Well, Soda's working late, but I thought Pony was with you." Two-Bit shrugged.

"When I left they were walkin' near Johnny's house. Must be at the lot." He walked to the fridge and grabbed a beer. "So, uh… what've you been doin' here all on your lonesome?"

"I just made some dinner. There's some left over if you're hungry." Two-Bit shook his head and looked down at his beer. He had an odd look on his face, sort of pleading and thoughtful, that made Darry stop. But he saw Darry staring and immediately the look was gone.

" 'Fore I got here I went over to Buck Merrill's and won 2 poker games." Darry nodded towards him.

"So where's the cash, little buddy?" he asked. Two-Bit smiled sheepishly.

"Well I lost 3," he replied. Darry chuckled and started drying. Two-Bit moved over closer to him and grabed a towel.

"Need help?" he asked. Darry was stunned.

"I'll tell you, Two-Bit, I always thought the day I'd hear you say that would be my last."

"Well, I dunno," he replied. "You look… tired." He looked straight at Darry, and saw all the dark circles and creases around his eyes. Darry crossed his arms, threw the towel over his shoulder and leaned back against the counter.

"Glory," he said slowly, "what's gotten into you?" Two-Bit couldn't control himself. Before Darry knew what was happening, he had pulled Darry's head in to meet his, and kissed him passionately. Darry violently shoved Two-Bit and he knocked into his beer and smashed it on the ground.

"What the hell was that?!" He screamed as he wiped his mouth with his arm. Two-Bit was shaking.

"D-Darry, I'm sorry, man, I thought you were-''

"No. N-no! What in god's name gave you that idea?!" They were both silent. Two-Bit ran his hand through his hair and looked at the ground.

"Listen, Ponyboy n' Soda'll be home any minute, and I don't want them walking into this."

"Yeah, I get it. I'm sorry, Darry," Two-Bit said, and he meant it. He walked towards the door. When Darry heard it slam, he closed his eyes and sighed. Two-Bit was right. He was tired.

Two-Bit had walked out the door and lit a cigarette. Yet another chance lost with Darry, he thought, only this time it was probably for good. As he stood there in the moonlight, he replayed the event in his head. He could still taste Darry on his tongue. "I should get going before Pony n' Soda show up," he said to himself. "But I'd sure like to see Darry try to explain this one." Two-Bit smiled sadly. Then he shook his head and ran off.