Chapter Text
Two-Bit was running down the cold streets of Tulsa, wiping tears from his eyes every other step he took. He had to continuously readjust his worn out bomber jacket, of which he had not worn in a long time. He’d worn his beat-up converse, which in hindsight wasn’t the best choice. He could practically feel every pebble underneath his foot each time he took a step. He would’ve put his regular boots on, but it had taken him much too long, and trying to lace up boots like those with tears running down your face and blurring your vision isn’t exactly practical when you’re in a hurry. His head was spinning and he was dizzy. Real dizzy. By the time he made it to the Curtis household he could barely hold himself up. Nonetheless, he knocked, or rather pounded on the front door waiting for someone to come to his aid.
————
Mrs. Curtis was washing dishes in the sink, listening to the radio and the background noise of the television in the living room. Sodapop and Ponyboy were in bed already, but Darry had stayed up that night. He was sprawled out on the couch, absentmindedly watching the TV. It was another gameshow that he had no interest in, but was too tired to change the channel. Suddenly, the knocking at the door had snapped him, and his mother, from their daydream-like state.
“Darry, hun, would you mind answering the door?” Mrs. Curtis had called to him, “I’m busy with the dishes at the moment.”
Darry sat up slowly, cracking his knuckles and readjusting his frail beat-up t-shirt that he wore to bed almost every night. He stood, pulling on the strings of his pajama pants to tighten them as they had fallen a bit loose.
“Sure, Ma,” he answered back, meandering over to the door and opening it. He saw Two-Bit standing there, his head down and hair messy. He glanced back at his mother for a moment before shuffling Two out onto the porch, closing the door behind the two of them. He stared at Two-Bit worriedly, crossing his arms.
————
“Hey, Dar,” Two-Bit blurted out, looking up at the broad-shouldered man. “Uh.. j-.. I’m sorry. For just— showing up l-like this. I really don’t mean any trouble. I just- I needed someone. An’ I’m not close enough with th’ other guys t’ go an’ ask for their help. I mean, I know we ain’t the closest either, but I figured your’e one o’ the ones who wouldn’t b—brush me off, I ‘spose.”
He wiped his eyes frantically, noticing the tears forming in his eyes again. He did his best not to look Darry in the eyes, or in the general direction of his face for that matter. He didn’t want to look weak.
“You’re alright, Two, calm down. What’s this all about?” Darry comforted him, stepping a bit closer.
Two-Bit looked up at him. He decided then that he couldn’t bother or care about ‘looking tough’. It was Darry. Out of all people, he sure wouldn’t mind him crying.
“It— it’s m’ old man. He jus… he took off. ‘Bout an hour ago. I- I dunno what I’m gonna do. What m’ *Mama’s* gonna do. Hell, m’ kid sister’s probably so confused right now… I shouldn’t of taken off like this… they need me. M’ dad, he— he used t’ do this. Used to fight with m’ Mama an’ then dip. But this time… he ain’t comin’ back. I ain’t never seen him drive off that far down th’ road before. He’d get down on me real hard for anythin’ I’d do. Since I was th’ only boy he had, I was apparently ‘the man o’ the house’. If I screwed up, well, he’d beat me black n’ blue, man. I could taste the blood in m’ mouth lotsa’ times. He had issues. Real issues, man. Never got along with any of us if I’m bein’ honest. But without him— we barely got pocket change. M’ Mama’s not makin’ enough these days and I ain’t got no job yet. I’ve gotta get one soon or we could lose our house. Dad already took th’ car when he left. I don’ know what t’ do, Dar. I just don’t.”
He started crying again, hard. Sobbing even. He tried wiping it away with the sleeve of his jacket but the tears kept coming. His nose was running, too, which was the worst part. He felt gross. He *looked* gross. Darry stood there, unmoving. His gaze was still fixated on Two-Bit as he continued speaking.
“I know this was dumb o’ me t’ come here— I jus’… I dunno, man—“
He was abruptly cut off by Darry bringing him into his arms, squeezing him in a tight hug. Two-Bit stood for a moment before wrapping his arms around him. He cried harder, but Darry didn’t seem to mind. They held onto each other for a good few minutes before slowly letting go. Darry spoke up,
“Listen, Keith. I’ll be here for you whenever y’ need, you dig? If ‘m bein’ honest, you really are m’ best buddy. Just because I’m around Paul a lot don’t mean that he’s m’ number one. It looks like he is, but he ain’t. We’re too similar t’ really get— deep, in a way. Like Steve n Soda. They’re real different, but they’re still inseparable. Steve likes t’ fight no matter what. Always excited for rumbles. Works till his hands are calloused and red. Pretty serious. But on the other hand, Soda’s a goof. He don’t fancy fightin’ unless he’s got a reason. He slacks, usually. Sure, he works hard, but that don’t mean he doesn’t take every opportunity he gets to get offa’ work. Same thing goes for Dally n’ Johnny, and for Pony n’ his bud Curly. None of us are alike. That’s what makes us closer than ever. We push each other t’ do things we wouldn’t normally do. That’s how we.. branch out, y’ know? That’s how we learn. You’ve got me, Two. I don’t want you t’ forget that. Just cause we ain’t the same don’t mean we’re automatically enemies, or somethin’ of th’ sort. It’s better t’ be different. That’s what makes us, us.”
…
“And as far as your old man goes— if you need anyone t’ help with finances, or babysittin’, or anythin’ like that… I’m here. You ain’t alone in this, Keith. Did anythin’ happen t’ you before he.. ditched?”
Two-Bit froze, biting his nail.
“Just uh… some typical stuff.. nothin’ t’ worry about.”
He looked up at Darry again.
“Thanks, Dar. You’re real sweet.”
Two-Bit cracked his famous grin, his tears finally subsiding.
Darry brought him into another hug, holding him tighter this time around. He put one hand in his un-greased hair, noticing that he probably didn’t have time to do it before he took off running. He curled a few strands around his fingers before slowly letting Two-Bit go.
“Come on. It’s too late for you t’ go back home without a soc gettin’ a hold o’ you.”
Darry ushered him inside, shutting the door behind the both of them. He guided Two-Bit into his room and opened up a drawer of his clothes.
“You can’t sleep in your jacket, y’ know,” he told him, grabbing a t-shirt. He tossed it at Two-Bit before shutting the drawer.
“Yeah, yeah, I got it,” he replied, changing into the shirt Darry had given him. He kicked off his shoes and laid down on the bed, sighing loudly.
“You know, I always thought you were kinda scary,” Two-Bit said, sitting up.
“Yeah? How come?” Darry questioned, sitting down next to him on the bed.
“Cause you’re *real* strong lookin’. You always look real mean and tuff, like if I approached you I might as well be asking for a slug across the face. Not to mention your’e a real ladies-man. You got almost alla them wrapped around your finger.”
Darry laughed, shoving Two-Bit playfully.
“It’s true!” Two cried out, he couldn’t stop himself from giggling a little bit. He was almost beaming. Darry was admiring him and his smile, it was basically contagious. Darry laid on the bed and Two-Bit followed, turning his head to look at him.
“You look real funny when your hair ain’t greased,” Two-Bit said.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. You look like you belong in one o’ those cologne commercials.”
“I do not! You’re jus’ sayin’ that t’ be a dick.”
“It was a compliment, dummy.”
Both of them smiled at each other, Two-Bit’s face was a slight reddish color. Never in a million years did he think he’d be this close to Darrel Curtis, star player on the football team, handsome, and not to mention he was nearly a soc. But he was certainly enjoying it while it lasted.
————
They continued chatting until about midnight, then Darry had curled up in bed how he normally would, with Two-Bit laying awkwardly beside him. He didn’t want to seem too forward, but laying plank-like next to him didn’t seem like the best idea either. Eventually he settled, lying on his side facing Darry. The both of them drifting off to sleep.