Work Text:
Ponyboy’s POV:
As my head ducked under the water, I could hear the low monotone buzz of the jets and filters keeping the water clean. It sounded like a distorted beep that one machine makes when a person dies.
Like when Johnny died.
Like when I was being drowned in the fountain.
When I almost died.
The water filling my lungs.
The random pool of red spreading around me.
Everything going black.
The worst moments of my life.
I fought to get to the surface for air.
Once I managed to fight my way above water, I was coughing violently, thrashing myself away from everyone and the water itself.
I was in the community pool.
Not the fountain.
Not the church.
Not the hospital.
That’s what I attempted to calm myself down with.
“Shoot kid— I’m sorry, I was just messing around.” I heard Steve say in a concerned tone.
My body movements didn’t calm until I was completely out of the water.
A couple of people were looking at me weird— including the lifeguard. The guy looked like he was just about ready to walk over. I must’ve looked real shaken up.
It wasn’t long before Soda came by to see me in the state I was in. He immediately rushed to my side.
“Hey Pone, you alright?” He had a hand on my shoulder. His hair and bathing suit were still soaked, dripping onto the concrete.
The only sound I made was the breaths I was unevenly taking. Soda asked what had happened, this time looking over to Steve.
“I was just messin’ with him and he got all freaked out. I swear I didn’t mean to do nothing.” Steve explained.
Soda still looked a bit lost, but pulled me into a hug anyway, brushing a hand through my wet hair.
“Hey it’s alright Pony, I’m here” He soothed.
The fact we were both drenched in water still and the breeze was picking up, I couldn’t help but shiver. It wasn’t too noticeable though since my body was already trembling as it was.
I could barely pay attention to Soda’s comforting words— the ones he was giving without knowledge of why I was upset. That made it all the more sweet.
He was there for me even when he had no clue why I needed him to be.
I looked over Soda’s shoulder to see Two-bit and Darry loping on back. Two-bit wore his usual smirk and Darry had this huge grin on his face— one that could be seen from miles away.
He was laughing too. That’s something we didn’t hear often.
Something we didn’t hear enough.
I love it when Darry laughs. It’s a noise that is so rare that when it does happen, it just makes you feel pure joy.
But I wasn’t going to ruin that just because I was spooked by some water.
I wiped my eyes against Soda’s shoulder and then with my hands. Was I crying?
That didn’t matter. All that mattered was that I quit whatever I was doing.
The last thing I needed was to ruin Darry’s rare happy and energetic mood.
I think I’ve ruined enough for him as it is.