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The drive from New York to Tulsa was long. It took nearly a week driving for 8 hours a day. He'd been exhausted and actually dropped by the Curtis household to sleep on the couch for a few hours before he'd gone to surprise Ponyboy. But it felt like all of that exhaustion had vanished upon seeing Pony's smile.
…
Shit.
The kid had gone and gotten gorgeous while he was in New York.
Darry had offered him a room to stay in at the Curtis household, and Dallas said he'd think about it; he wanted to see his old man first. He knew the old fucker wouldn't have changed at all, but a tiny part of him needed to know for sure.
"Hey pops."
Old man hadn't changed the locks. Maybe Dally was lucky after all. There was no answer. Maybe he was out? With his luck the old freak was probably passed out drunk - the carpet was stained recently enough for it to seem likely. He pulled his shirt up over his nose.
"This place fuckin' reeks."
The entire thing made a pit start growing in his stomach, like it did when–
When Johnny and Ponyboy ran into the church.
"Hey!"
More desperate now despite himself, panic set in. What did he do if the man was dead? Was he supposed to cry? How did–
"Who the fuck are you?"
He reflexively raised his hands above his head as he was snapped out of his thoughts by a gun clicking and a familiarly smoke riddled voice behind him. Just the confidence boost he needed.
Dallas turned around and sneered.
"What, don't even recognize your own kid?"
Randall Winston was a tall, perpetually angry looking man thanks to his bushy black eyebrows and natural scowl. He was fat with muscle and had a bald spot in the center of his greasy head, and his blue eyes matched his son's almost perfectly.
He'd always hated that.
"... The fuck are you doing here Dallas?"
"Call it charity work."
Randall scoffed and put away the pistol he'd been brandishing, tossing it on the beat up sofa that hadn't changed since the day Dally left. At least he wouldn't get pistol whipped.
"I just came to see if you were still kicking. Was hoping I wouldn't need to sell the house yet."
"What makes you think it'd even go to you, you little shit?"
"Ouch, you're bringing out the scary words now. Too bad I'm not a little kid that can't see that you're just a ripoff brute."
He felt the heat of the swing before he saw it.
The next thing he felt was pain radiating from his jaw as he reeled backwards.
"Say that shit again little boy. I dare you."
His blood was pumping, racing through his veins screaming at him to HIT BACK and FIGHT. Without even thinking about it he'd shifted his stance to tighten up, hands clenched into fists. Dallas wanted to spill blood, hurt someone and maybe even kill them.
But he didn't.
Dallas Winston just shook his head, pulled the key to the house off of his ring, and dropped it in front of Randall before walking past him through the front door.
"Good to know you haven't changed a lick."
Sodapop was the one looking at his bloody bruising cheek on the couch in the living room of the Curtis household once he went back, while Darry chewed him out for going in the first place. Ponyboy was sat on the floor digging through a medicine box. Reminded him of the City Hospital reruns.
"What was the point of going? You're a smart guy Dally, so don't you tell me you weren't thinking."
"Can't tell ya nothin' else Darry. I wasn't thinking."
The older man scoffed. He didn't feel great lying to him, but it sure beat feeling stupid for even considering that his old man could've changed.
"It ain't too deep, won't scar you any."
Sodapop pulled his mouth open and looked around there, too.
"No loose teeth neither. Pony, could you get me the hydrogen peroxide and a cotton ball?"
The youngest brother obeyed dutifully, and Dallas hissed with pain when the doused ball was dabbed against his open skin.
"Aw c'mon, don't be a baby."
"I swear to God Dally, don't go startin' no trouble again now that you're back."
"Now look here Darry, sometimes a man's gotta–"
"Quit moving!"
"You ain't a man yet Dally! That's the whole damn thing!"
He unconsciously bristled when the brunette raised his voice, a childhood response he'd never managed to unlearn.
"You're just a kid in bigger pants! You've hardly grown at all Dal, you're just…"
Darry caught himself, trailing off as the blond coldly stared through him. It wouldn't be the first time a stare like that had made the older stop in his tracks, but Dallas was never sure why.
"Anyway, the offer for a bed is still open if you're interested."
"Nah, I don't wanna burden you none."
"What're you talking about? I wouldn'ta offered if it would've been too much of a burden."
"Don't lie to me Darry. Where on earth are you gonna sleep then huh? Your parents' room?"
Sodapop stuck a large bandage on his cheek once it was cleaned, and the platinum blond glanced over at Ponyboy and his bleached gold hair. Pony's eyes met his, and the youngest finally spoke.
" I wanna have you here, Dally."
Shit.
Fuck.
There went any resolve he had.
So there he stayed with the Curtis family for a few months, bickering with Darry and sharing quiet moments with Ponyboy and Johnny until the day came for the two to go to New York.
"You better call us regularly PB. Once a week just like Dally."
"I will."
"Good luck out there okay? We'll still be here if you ever change your mind and wanna come back."
"Thanks Soda."
"Let us know as soon as you get there."
"Mhm."
The boys gathered for a tight hug while Dallas put the two suitcases Ponyboy packed in the trunk. He silently watched them for a moment before Sodapop looked up and grinned.
"Feeling lonely Dally?"
"Nah, just watching you three. It's sweet."
He offered a smile, and Darry sighed before going over and dragging Dallas into his arms. "C'mon big man, hug time."
And just like that the other two were on him as well, and Dallas squirmed uncomfortably. He didn't really like physical affection that much, but… For these three he'd tolerate it for a bit.
It took them almost an hour to actually get out of Tulsa since Darry kept trying to give them more stuff - "I can make sandwiches for the road.", "Are you sure you don't wanna bring this book?", "Dal, why don't I make some coffee before you go?" - but they eventually made it past his kerfuffling to say one more goodbye to Johnny before the drive, windows down to let out the summer heat and help the wind blow their hair out.
Dallas had worked hard to make sure he'd have enough money for the round trip, and it'd been rough trying to get the numbers right. But they were right - he'd even checked with his aunt - and they wouldn't have to worry about gas or food or sleep or even smokes for the trip. It was quiet between them a lot, Ponyboy had tried reading to him but the motion of the car made him sick when he tried to focus on the paper. So they drove in a peaceful quiet, occasionally commenting on the sights around them, and Dallas was reminded that shit , Pony was adorable when he was sleeping. They made stops often to sight see - if anybody asked, this was just on the way to New York, or Dallas needed to take a piss - and they really only got in about 5 hours of fruitful driving each day.
It didn't matter though. Dallas was just happy to be with Ponyboy again, so the rest just didn't matter as much.
The apartment was relatively small, but it had a radio and a TV, and warm water most days. Two bedrooms, but Sodapop had told him about the nightmares that meant that one would probably be all that was used.
"This is it?"
"Yup. Welcome to your new home."
He tossed one of the suitcases onto the couch.
"Stretch out for a bit. I'll show you how to get to your fancy college tomorrow Pone."
Dallas grinned. He hadn't even realized how lonely he'd felt before, but Ponyboy was here now, and they could be happy right?
Maybe this would actually be home.