Work Text
Chapter 1- Darry & Soda:The sun creeped through the blinds, shining directly into Pony’s eyes. He groaned as he woke up and looked at the clock. 4:21. Earlier than he usually wakes up, in fact he doesn’t have school for another two hours. He looked at Soda, he was still sleeping peacefully, arm wrapped over Pony’s shoulders. Pony laid back down and groaned again, feeling his forehead. He felt hot, his body ached, his nose was blocked and sniffly. He tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t. He felt Soda stir and saw him sit up.
“You’re up early Pones. Glory! You’re burning!”
Pony hadn’t realised Soda had his hand on his forehead.
“Darry!”
Soda called, his voice croaking a bit from tiredness. In less than a minute, Darry was in the room
“What is it? What’s going on?” Darry’s voice was worried.
“Pones is sick.”
Darry walked over and put his hand on Pony’s forehead.
“I-I’m…fine…”
Pony muttered out, his eyes still closed.
“No baby, you’re not.”
Darry, grumbled and left the room, coming back with a wet cloth, gently putting it on Pony’s forehead, then pulling him into his lap just like their mama used to do. Pony couldn’t help but nuzzle closer. The touch was comforting and eventually he fell back asleep.
Chapter 2- Two-Bit:
Darry and Soda practically had to tape Two’s mouths shut. The whole gang was in the house now, even if it was barely 5:30. Pony didn’t want to be left alone so now he was asleep on the couch, still curled up with Darry.
“Is he okay?”
Johnny’s quiet voice filled the air, he sat on the ground near Pony’s head, leaning against the couch.
“He’s pretty bad off, had a temp of 104° last we checked.”
Soda said, making breakfast with Steve.
“I should probably take the day off work or-“
Darry began, until Two-Bit interrupted.
“I can watch him. I take care of Sophie when Ma’s at work and she’s poorly.”
Two had a serious expression, it seemed like this was the first time in months he was quiet. So, after a bit of convincing, Darry agreed. It was a quiet day, surprisingly. Pony had woken up around 12pm, Mickey Mouse was playing on the Tv and the house seemed to be empty. Pony began to get worried, was he really home alone?
“Darry? Soda?”
He was starting to tear up. Two heard the quiet whimpers and came back in from the kitchen.
“Hey, hey…kid it’s alright. They’re at work, it’s you and me buddy, don’t cry.”
Two-Bit held Pony for the rest of the day until the rest of the gang returned.Chapter 3- Steve:
Steve had ever only seen Pony as Soda’s kid brother. Sure, he cared about him, but he only saw him as a little kid and was never too close with him. He had never really shown any affection towards Pony, others than the occasional wrestling match or teasing but he never expected to wind up like this. Steve was sitting on the floor, leaning against the couch as Pony slept in his lap. He didn’t know how he got here, Darry and Soda were in the kitchen, Two had gone home quickly to check on his Ma and sister and Dally and Johnny were somewhere out of the house. Steve was watching Tv when he heard quiet little whimpers coming from a sleeping Ponyboy, he couldn’t help but feel bad for the kid, he’s still pretty young and just letting him have nightmares would be pretty cruel. And Soda would probably get mad at him. So, without thinking, he pulled Pony onto the cold ground and let him lay in his lap, stroking his hair slightly. Pony still had quite a high temperature so maybe this could help. And it did, Pony nightmare stopped and he seemed content now. His temperature went down slightly and pretty soon Soda came back in to give Pony another dose of medicine, although he couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the two boys on the ground. Steve looked down at Pony and smiled softly. He really did love this kid, even if he was a pain sometimes.
Chapter 4- Dally:
When Dally showed up that morning with Johnny, he couldn’t help but wince at the kid’s state. He had popped his head in occasionally, throughout the day, to make sure Two ‘wasn’t being dumb’, but deep down, he was worried. He had this cousin back in New York who had a fever of 104° and he passed the next week. He would feel so bad if anything were to happen to Pony. So, when everyone’s backs were turned, he’d check up on Pony, ask him if he was alright, make sure he’s breathing still, get him whatever he needed. Even volunteering to run down and get some stronger medicine from the store since the Tylenol wasn’t working quick enough for Pony. Dally even gave him a piggyback ride to the dinner table and helped him eat a couple bites so he’d have something in his stomach. He then helped Soda and Darry tuck him into bed and occasionally checking on him. Until Pony woke up again, seeking comfort and got muddled up, since Dally was sitting in Darry’s armchair, and ended up curling up on his lap. He just let it slide since he ‘couldn’t just be mean to a sick kid’.
“Going soft are ya Dal?”
Steve snickered, a little too loud for Dallas liking.
“Shut up, you’ll wake him up.”
He snapped back in a whisper yell, fixing the blanket on Pony.
Chapter 5- Johnny:
Johnny was the one who snuck into Pony’s room that night to comfort him. He had been crashing on the couch when he heard Pony crying. Soda had gone to sleep with Darry since Darry didn’t want two sick kid-brothers. So, Johnny got up from his spot on the couch, making sure not to step on Dally or Two bit. The whole gang slept over that night, in fear for Pony. This was the sickest any of the gang had gotten. He was careful not to knock Steves’s arm, who was on the armchair. He slowly opened Pony’s room and laid down in the bed next to him. Pony held Johnny’s hand as he began to calm down.
“It’s okay…I’m here now.”
Johnny wasn’t the best at consoling people, but it seemed to work, and they both then fell asleep.
Johnny was eventually woken by Ponyboy moving, it was 8:30 on a Saturday morning. He was sitting up and seemed to be getting a little better. Johnny smiled as Pony blurted out some random facts, he did that when he was out of his mind. And Johnny didn’t care what he said, he was learning something new and was making Pony happy as he recovered slowly. Soon the smell of pancakes filled the air and Johnny helped Pony up to the kitchen where the rest of tha gang were being their normal selves.
Chapter 6- Little Koala:
Ponyboy wasn’t fully recovered yet and was still pretty weak in the legs. He clung to Darry’s waist tight, like he was going to run away from him, as he cooked breakfast. Although it was difficult, Darry didn’t mind. He just wanted Pony to be feeling better again. Soda and Steve then walked in.
“Geez little buddy, clingy one aren’t you?”
Steve chuckled as Pony looked at him.
“Baby, why don’t you come sit on the couch with us and let Dar cook?”
Soda tried to pull Pony away but he wouldn’t budge. He didn’t want to leave.
“Well, if you won’t come with us, you leave us no choice.”
Steve smirked, picking up Pony and putting him on Darry’s back. Darry was not expecting that but it was a better solution than just having Pony wrapped around his waist. Pony managed to hang on to Darry and Soda and Steve returned to the dining room. Darry finished breakfast and everyone sat at the table together, he made sure to sit Pony by him, One by one everyone sat down and ate together for the first time in a while, it was nice.
“Jeez, the way the kid was clinging to you Dar.”
Two-Bit chuckled with his mouth full.
“Like a little Koala.”