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“It’s always books and movies!” Something Ponyboy heard Darry tell him a million times, if not more. He always naturally tuned out his criticism. Even despite how irritated it may have made him in the moment. Sure, they weren’t alike at all. Ponyboy would go as far as saying they weren’t even related at all. Which obviously wasn’t true, but with how he’s been acting towards him ever since their parents died, it’s different.
That’s a belief he’s firm on. This time, Darry enforces his little critiques on him. It was a Saturday morning, and instead of letting Ponyboy sleep in like he always does, Sodapop decided to wake him up instead. Soda was in the middle of brushing his teeth before barging back into the room, mouth full of paste. He stops brushing to speak to a sprawled out Ponyboy that laid on the bed.
“Ponyboy! Wake up!” He shouts, his words coming in jumbled from the mouthful of toothpaste he had. Ponyboy didn’t wake. Soda leaves back out the room, retreating to the bathroom to spit it out. Placing down his toothbrush on the sink, he walks back into the room before jumping onto the bed, making it creak underneath his weight. Ponyboy suddenly turns over in his sleep, mumbling nonsense as Soda laid next to him. Soda turns over, placing his hands on one of his shoulders as he lays on his side, getting closer into his ear.
“Ponyboy, you better wake up! You ain’t gon’ make me late for work!” Soda taps him roughly on the shoulder a few times and Ponyboy finally opens his eyes to the feeling of the aggressive tapping and his older brother's loud, agitating voice.
“Mmm… What the hell are you talking about Soda..” Ponyboy flutters his eyes open, looking at him through squinted eyes as he leans back to meet his gaze, still on his side. His tone was exhausted from a long week of school and some house work.
“Didn’t Darry tell ya? You’re coming to work with me today! Get up!” Sodapop suddenly swings his legs over the bed, getting back up unsteadily. Ponyboy blinks a few times before opening his eyes again, this time they’re more awake from hearing that.
“What are you talkin’ ‘bout?” Ponyboy sits up, dazed. Soda had his hand on the doorknob, getting ready to swing it open and leave once again, but crooked his neck to meet Pony’s eyes.
“Yesterday, we were all in the livin’ room and Darry was goin’ on with one of his rants again. He wants you to come to work with me today, try something new for once he said.” Sodapop shrugs, he had no problem with what Ponyboy liked. Which is why Ponyboy was much closer to him in the first place because of how nonjudgmental he was. Ponyboy thinks for a second, then, it comes back to him. He remembered it being in the afternoon, and they were all sitting in the living room. It was close to dinner time.
Ponyboy sat next to Soda on the couch, as Darry had his nose stuck in another newspaper. Catching up on whatever was going on in this agonizing town. The same person who judged him for books, yet would read on about whatever lies they told him in the news, he thought. Soda’s head was laid back against the cushions, face dirty, hair sweaty, and overall exhausted from a long day of work. His DX hat on top of his head, still in uniform as one hand rested on the arm of the couch.
Ponyboy sat beside him, also intrigued in one of his books. Silence was present in the room, everyone doing their own thing in a shared comfortable space. Until Darry breaks it, taking a peek up from his newspaper to see Ponyboy reading. Because of how much he catches him do it, and how much he has told him before that there was more to life, he decides something should change.
“Tomorrow, you’re goin’ with Soda to the DX, Pony. Try somethin’ new for once.” Darry states, in a monotone voice. Soda opens an eye, looking at Darry through it. He was gonna question it, but was too groggily to do so. Soda shrugged before closing his eye again. Ponyboy was too lost in his chapter to even realize what he said and just went along.
“Yeah, yeah..” Ponyboy answered, returning the same flavorless tone Darry had on, he sounded bored. Much more into his book than what Darry had to say. Ponyboy snapped out of his reminiscing to respond to Soda.
“Why…” he groans.
“Goddammit, get up Pony! You ain’t even have time for breakfast now! I better see you up and at 'em’ by the time I’m done!” Soda begins to sound upset. He left the room, expecting to see Pony near the front door when he was ready. Ponyboy lazily got up, sitting on the bed, staring at the ground as he zoned out for a few seconds. His eyes are heavy with sleep. Still, he pushed himself off the bed, throwing off his shirt and putting on whatever with a pair of jeans. He just wanted to get through whatever foolishness Darry wanted him to do. Ponyboy walked out the room, stumbling as if he would slam face first into a wall at any second. He makes his way to the living room where Soda was already heading for the front door.
“Let’s go!” Soda exclaims, opening the door in a rush as Ponyboy had to quicken up his speed to follow. Darry had already left, which showed how late they already were. On top of that, they had to walk. Ponyboy was struggling to keep up with his speed.
“Next time, I’ll have you on the floor if you make me late again, kid!” Soda threatened, but not completely serious. He was never really ever mad at Ponyboy for anything; he knew he was a great kid.
“Not my damn fault, Darry is making me do this…” he whines.
“Well, you know how he gets… Next time I outta’ just fold the rest of the laundry to make him shut up.” Soda adds. The walk was about ten minutes, but they made it. Steve was inside, talking to a customer who brought in their car. As they walk up, Soda opens the door, causing a chime to sound from the little bell they had on top of the door to alert them for anyone coming in.
“Heya’ Steve.” Soda walks in the first, completely shielding Ponyboy from view; not on purpose, but because he was smaller. Steve turns to look at him, abruptly stopping his conversation with said customer.
“Why are you late, man!” Steve complains, upset. His look of disappointment suddenly fades when he notices Ponyboy right behind him as he makes his way in fully, going behind the counter as Pony follows.
“What the hell is he doin’ here!” Steve raised his voice. He never took a real liking to Pony, he thought he was trying to tag along too much when all he saw was a little kid trying to do so. In reality, Ponyboy was not that young, and never asked to go in the first place. Soda on the other hand, saw him as older, and liked asking him to come along, not the other way around.
“Darryl was complain’, said it was good for the kid to come…” Soda didn’t have much care for the whole ordeal. Was maybe only mad he made him late, but that was about it.
“Whatever, I don’t have time to be dealin’ with that bullshit right now…” Steve decides, continuing the conversation he had with the previous customer. Ponyboy felt embarrassed, his ears reddening. Wishing he was anywhere else but here. He was humiliated because of the sole fact Steve might’ve thought it was his idea. Because that’s what he always thinks, when it’s always never him but someone else who invites him to come. Not the other way around.
Ponyboy was looking down at his feet, waiting for someone to give him the next command. Not daring to say or do anything. After another minute passed, Steve finished up with the customer before turning to look at the two who sat behind him. Soda leaning nonchalantly against the wall next to a sheepish Ponyboy who is all of a sudden interested in the floor.
“Get the hell out.” Steve’s tone was rude, but not very loud, just agitated. His voice keeps a very flat tone, but still uninviting enough.
“It ain’t his choice, Steve. Ol’ Darryl is makin’ him.”
“I don’t care, it’s my place!”
“Our place.” Soda corrects him.
“Can’t you give him some work to do? Or like, I don’t know. We teach the kid somethin’ maybe?” Soda suggests. Despite seeming like he’s not too fond of the idea, deep down he likes the thought of teaching his little brother about cars, one of his passions. But he knew as well Pony wasn’t completely like him, and he thought he shouldn’t want to be like him anyway, a dropout who enjoys working at a gas station. Still, he was excited to teach him.
“He can work the front counter.”
“What about on a car…?” Soda proposes. Steve gave him a look as if he was crazy before letting out a laugh.
“You have to be jokin’ with me? Seriously, that kid doesn't know how to get his hands dirty.” Pony’s face reddened even further, but this time, he was ticked off and determined. Before Soda could respond, he spoke up.
“I totally could! What? Afraid I’ll be better than you?” Ponyboy weakly protests, trying to be intimidating. Steve was intrigued, for the wrong reasons. He wanted to mess with him.
“Fine, you go out there and fix that car then.” Steve motions his head towards the car outside.
“Yeah, I got it…” Ponyboy gets off of the wall and grabs some random tools from inside before going back out, acting as if he knew what he grabbed or what he was doing for that matter. Before he left, Steve stopped him.
“Hey, you need this creeper, how else you gonn’ get under there?” Steve grabs him a creeper and he takes it. Acting as if he knew he needed it.
“Yeah—I need that. Of course…” He was practically lying through his teeth. Going outside, he approaches the car. Setting down the tools and getting onto the creeper as Steve and Soda watched from inside.
“You think he’s actually gonn’ do anythin’?” Soda inquires, crooking an eyebrow and turning his head to the side.
“No, once he touches the oil plug it’s gonn’ spray all over him.” Steve laughs.
“Awh, that’s mean, Steve!” Soda tries sounding as if what he did was morally wrong, but couldn’t help crack a grin and start laughing along, nudging him playfully. It didn’t take too long till Ponyboy came back, slumped over and defeated. He looked irritated, as pushed through the door. His clothes were covered in the black substance and so was his face.
“You liar!” Ponyboy says furiously. Soda had to bring a hand up to his mouth to stifle laughs. Steve gave him a shit eating grin.
“I didn’t lie about nothin’. You said you could do it, didn’t you?”
“Whatever…” Ponyboy sighs, walking off to grab a rag to wipe his face with.
“Hey Pony, how bout’ you just stay in here and tend to the customers will ya?” Soda felt guilt settled in for not saying anything, and figured that maybe working behind the counter would be a lot easier. Ponyboy just grumbled in response, his face turned and planted into the rag. Soda took it as a yes and left outside with Steve to actually fix the car. Ponyboy got behind the counter after they left, and sat down in the chair.
As they worked outside, he naturally got bored and began looking at what was in their drawls or what belongings they kept. He found a pack of smokes, likely Steve’s and shoved them in his pocket. After that, he also discovered a couple of dusty magazines of girls they kept. Nothing too interesting. They likely didn’t look through them too much because of having girlfriends and stuff.
Soda was too loyal for that and so was Steve. With nothing else to do, he leaned back and closed his eyes. Trying to catch some shut eye when he could. Which was soon interrupted as he jolted awake to the sound of the door ringing. It was a pretty woman, way older than him. Very likely a greaser by the looks of it, heavy makeup and was chewing bubblegum obnoxiously loud.
“Hello…?” Ponyboy awkwardly greeted, unsure of how to even feel. He lacked social skills around any type of girl, especially at his age.
“Yeah, so, my blinkers are not quite workin’. could ya’ take a look or somethin’. Or maybe get that blondie out there workin’ on it? He seems cute…” She begins rambling on, dropping the problem on him immediately before jumping right to talking about Soda. She rested a hand against the desk, looking outside at the window at Soda who was assisting Steve with the car. Ponyboy rolled his eyes at the way she talked about Soda, wanting to puke. Only tolerating her not to get into any trouble if he did say something.
“Yeah… sure thing.” His tone was a little snarky with an attitude, struggling to keep up a polite tone. Walking around the corner of the front desk, he passes her to go outside, opening the door and making his way towards Soda who was leaning against one of the gas pumps.
“Some lady needs help with her blinker…” Ponyboy sighs, motioning towards the lady who was inside, taking a little bit of a good look at the place, likely looking to steal.
“Yeah… Y’know what, Pony? How about you go in there and ask her if she’s checked her blinker fluid, yeah?” Soda acted as if he was correct, trying to sound believable as possible. He knew blinker fluid didn’t exist and thought it was funny. It was a trick their father used on both him and Darry when they were younger, now he wanted to see if it would work on the youngest. Still carrying a little guilt for messing around with him so much, but still found it amusing and sorta cute how he just listened to whatever they said.
“Okay.” Ponyboy complies, walking back inside the store.
“Hey, Steve, I’m gonna make sure Pony uh… handles this right. I’ll be right back.” Soda quickly says before walking off, Steve didn’t hear any of the conversation at all, too busy at work. Once Ponyboy is back in the building, he returns to behind the counter and repeats exactly what Soda said.
“Did you check your blinker fluid?” He asks, tone dead serious as if it was really a real thing. Ponyboy didn’t think sometimes.
“What are you talkin’ about, boy!” The girl began to get infuriated with him, thinking he had to be stupid with such a question. Ponyboy was confused and didn’t understand.
“Yeah—Blink fluid.” Ponyboy almost second guessed himself, but says it once again with full confidence. Soda suddenly walked through the door to witness the whole exchange but right when it ended with her storming off.
“All of you are dumbasses!” She shouts, angrily opening the door before slamming it and leaving.
“What was her problem?” Ponyboy looked puzzled and upset, genuine hurt on what he did wrong.
“Ha—Uh, Pony. Listen, blinker fluid isn’t real… I thought it would be funny because dad used to tell me and Darry the same thing…” Soda nervously laughed, realizing how dejected Ponyboy looked now. Before he could say anything, he got memories of being Pony’s age when their father sent him in to get blinker fluid and how he was in tears when he came back from being humiliated. Soda knew it wasn’t that serious, looking back. But his father was there to comfort him anyway and felt bad, exactly how he felt. At the same time, they were messing with him all day and it made his heart ache a little.
“Hey, Pony, you okay buddy?” Soda’s tone took on a more nurturing tone.
“Yeah—it’s nothin’…” His voice was low, he wasn’t exactly gonna cry, but he was just extremely frustrated. That and as well why he was even sent there in the first place because of a judgmental Darry.
“I’m sorry, Pony. I thought it was funny. I was only teasin’.” Soda continued trying to comfort him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“It’s not that… I’m sorry. I was just already upset with Darry makin’ be here and all. I don’t ever understand his issue with me sometimes. It’s like he hates me..” Ponyboy explained, not meeting his gaze.
“Oh no. He doesn’t Pony, he’s just stressed out and all. I promise you he cares a whole lot. Darry wanted you to get out more, y’know?” Soda didn’t exactly have a valid explanation on why Darry even really did that in the first place. He knew it wasn’t that fair, but he knew Darry was always coming from a good place. Ponyboy took everything he did too seriously on the other hand, making them both clash. Soda was the calm balance in the middle, reading the both of them like books so easily despite how he never wants to be in the middle. But it was easier to comfort and complain than break routine, no matter how much it pained him sometimes. Especially with their parents dying, when they fought, it made him think what they had left was splitting apart too. He wanted to be as strong as ever with his brothers after that, wanting nothing to break their bond.
“I guess…” Ponyboy concludes, he didn’t understand but didn’t want Soda worrying too much about him.
“You wanna come outside and watch me and Steve? Mess around a little?” Soda suggests, cracking a grin. He was up to no good.
“Sure…” They both left the shop and went out in the front again, Ponyboy stood close to Soda as he handed tools to Steve. Instructing him a little as he tinkered on the car. For a split second, Sods looked up at Ponyboy as he was kneeling down, talking to Steve on how to fix a certain part and noticed how he was actually listening and interested in what they were doing. It made him smile to himself, taking pride in how he was actually intrigued by it. Once the car was finally fixed and some time had passed, the owner came back to reclaim it, paying Steve and Soda what was deserved. They had exactly twenty minutes before they closed, getting an unexpected guest right before closing, Two-Bit. They were still outside near the gas pumps when he pulled up in his Plymouth, a goofy grin on his face.
“Heya’ guys… I know it’s late but can I get some fuel for my car?” Two-Bit requests, a goofy grin on his face. Steve leaned over into the window.
“Yeah sure thing Two-Bit.” While Steve talked to him, Soda leaned over to Ponyboy, whispering in his ear.
“Grab me a few water bottles from inside…” Soda had a bright idea to prank Two-Bit. It wasn’t very smart to do so, and he knew the car's engine would break. But it was a car shop, and wouldn’t get too far so he could leave it overnight. His car could use a little fixing anyway.
“Ponyboy’s gon’ grab somethin’ real quick, I’ll fill it. Don’t you worry Steve.” Soda insists on walking over to grab the pump off and returning it to the cars slot. Ponyboy stealthily went back outside, Steve was still in Two-Bit’s car window, chatting with him as he came by Soda’s side. He placed down the water bottles on the concrete, kneeling down to hand him water bottle after water bottle. The pump was discarded on the ground as he began to pour the water in until they were full.
“Get the water bottles outta’ here…” Soda tells Pony in a hushed tone, he carefully picks them up and runs back inside with them. He then closes the slot to the car and approaches Steve, tapping the hood of the car to signal it was good to go.
“Your cars all good, Two-Bit.” Sodapop confirms, giving Two-Bit a smile knowing well what he just did. Steve pulled his head out of the car, stepping back and leaving him room to leave. Ponyboy walked back out normally, shortly after, as if he didn’t know what just happened. He stood by Soda and the rest of them.
“Yeah, thank you guys.” Two-Bit states with gratitude, he then turns on his engine, knowing he’s gonna need a little push, but before he could ask, the engine suddenly makes a loud bang, and smoke starts to come up from it in a thick dark-grey mist.
“What the hell!” Two-bit exclaimed, confused. Soda suddenly broke out into a fit of giggles as Ponyboy did as well. Steve couldn’t even be mad because of how many pranks they had been pulling today, even laughing at Two-Bits predicament.
“I have to get home guys!” Two-Bit complains. Steve knew they had to do something for him.
“Soda will fix it tomorrow, Two-Bit.” Steve promises, he wasn’t the one who put water in the engine and didn’t want to tackle such a mess either. Soda was iffy about it, but took accountability anyway. Whatever he could do to make Ponyboy smile.
“Wanna walk with us Two-Bit?” Soda recommends, considering he had no ride now.
“Yeah sure, why the hell not?” Two-Bit wasn’t so mad, especially with the deal he was offered for it. And the fact his car probably needed it anyway. He got out of his car and walked around the other end to meet them.
“Alright, that’s the end of our shift, let’s go—“ Steve finalizes, but pauses. He realizes Ponyboy left their side.
“Where is that little shit?” Steve questioned, wanting to sleep and eat.
“Guys over here!” Ponyboy shouts from behind the DX, they come rushing over and find Ponyboy standing back faced to them, with something in his hands. It was dark, so Ponyboy looked a little scarier than usual.
“Pony… you okay..?” Two-bit calls out, trying to keep his tone calm. The only sound that could be heard was the faint pouring of water.
“Pony—?” Soda tried himself, reaching out a hand until Ponyboy suddenly turns around on them, spraying them with the hose on full blast. Soaking the three completely until they looked like wet dogs. Ponyboy was laughing at all of them before Soda retreated, stealing the hose from his hands and spraying him right back until it became an all out warfare of rough housing each other for a few minutes, which didn’t last very long because of how weary everyone already was from the day.
They all smelled something awful as they walked home. Reeked of motor oil, wet dogs, and sweat. Not a very pleasant smell. Once they got back home, Steve and Two-Bit didn't pop in this time, too lazy to. They requested for Soda to tell Darry they said hi and how they would be back tomorrow In the morning. Now it was just the two Curtis brothers.
Two entirely different personalities but still a pure found love for rough housing and getting messy with each other like they were real little again. In the summer, that was their favorite thing to do, play with the hose in the yard as that was cheap entertainment. Soda opened the door, Pony trailing behind him as he did so. Darry was in the kitchen cooking dinner already, knowing they were gonna be hungry from their shift.
They came home later than Darry which was rare, likely because they were fooling around and had to walk. Darry was concerned and was about to go on one of his rants until he turned around to view them fully, they genuinely looked drunk. Lazy smiles on both of their faces, laughing at nothing except themselves. Acting as if it was some kind of inside joke Darry was not apart of.
Their clothes were soaked and dirty with the fifth they’ve been working and rolling around in all day. Darry didn’t even want to ask, but knew one thing for sure, they smelt like shit. But couldn’t help but think it was precious because even he thought of how they used to all get wet with the hose and get dirty for entertainment when their parents were alive and they were much smaller.
Sodapop used to help Ponyboy team up on Darry like that, helping Pony onto his shoulders and that’s how they did it. Being the older sibling at the time, he just took it. Looking back, it was adorable, something he’d never quite admit.
“You guys smell like shit.” Darry remarked blankly, crooking an eyebrow at the two. But he wasn’t mad.
“Yeah—Sorry bout’ that.” Soda apologizes for the two of them as they straggle into the kitchen, but Darry instantly stops them.
“Oh, hell no. You boys are gonn’ go take a shower before you eat dinner tonight. I ain’t smellin’ that!” Darry complains. Ponyboy and Soda both sigh before heading towards their bedroom. They both got a decent switch of clothes and a towel as they took turns showering. Once they were both done, they all sat down at the table for dinner.
“Did you learn anythin’, Pony?” Darry asks, looking up at Ponyboy who met his eyes.
“Uhh—Blinker fluid—?” Ponyboy stammered.
“What? What is he talkin’ about Soda.” The attention now went to Soda, who was in the middle of chewing, he swallowed quickly but nervously responding.
“I kinda told him it was a real thing and made him ask a lady ‘bout her blinker fluid in her car as a joke… You remember when dad used to pull that on us?” Soda softly laughed, but a little uneasily, afraid Darry wouldn’t take it so lightly he even told Ponyboy that in the first place as he came to work with him for other reasons and not to fool around.
“Oh, well, you didn’t teach him anythin’?”Dammit, I didn’t want y’all foolin’ around for what?” Darry’s tone became a little harsh and cold, Ponyboy felt bad as Soda didn’t mean any harm.
“I learned how to replace a busted oil tank… Opened up the oil plug and everything.” Ponyboy spoke up, trying to cover for Soda. Despite in reality it got all over him his first try, he genuinely learned the second when he just observed and to him that did count. Soda looked over at him and smiled.
“You think you would come around the DX more often?” Soda cracked one of his goofy grins, a spark of hope in his eyes.
“Not a chance, Pepsi-Cola.” Ponyboy smiled right back, using one of his old nicknames.
“Maybe next time you two knuckle-heads decide to rough house in a gas station, don’t come home smellin’ like pigsty will ya?” Darry couldn’t help but smile at their little conversation, how they never changed one bit. Ponyboy wasn’t too interested in cars like Soda was, but one thing for sure, he could understand the appeal now. Soda takes pride knowing his little brother learned some new things from him.