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If you had told Chet a year ago that he'd be heading to the east side nearly daily, he'd have told you you were insane, but, here he is. After everything went down last fall, Marcia broke up with Trip. All Chet can say about that is that Trip was not okay for a while. If Chet is being honest, it took them all a while to be okay after Bob. Chet's always been close with Marcia though, so after she spilled her guts to him, Chet started driving her over to the east side to see her new boyfriend, Two-bit Mathews. Chet doesn't mind it, even though everything's calmed down a lot since the rumble, the east side still isn't the safest of places, and he wouldn't want Marcia going alone, even though she could handle herself just fine.
He spends most of his time on the east side sitting in his car doing homework outside of wherever it is Marcia and Two-bit are hanging out. He finds sometimes he's sitting outside one particular house Chet can vaguely remember is where Darrel Curtis lived (sometimes Paul would pick him up while Chet was in the car freshman year). Chet assumes he still does, because he sees him outside sometimes, along with a whole host of greasers who sometimes give him dirty looks. But the one that Chet notices the most is the boy he fought at the rumble, but Chet doesn't remember his name. Chet is sure it was told to him at some point, but that whole week is too blurry for him to remember.
One day when he's driving Marcia over, she tells him to go to the DX. Chet has been there before —everyone has— but Marcias never asked him to take her there. Marcia tells him to come in with her, smile on her face as there normally is before she sees Two-bit, and Chet obliges. They head in and Two-bit is sitting at the counter. He waves at them as they come over and soon enough all his attention is on Marcia. Chet smiles as he sits a couple seats away and the kid working, who Chets seen around, starts talking to him, “They're kinda insufferable, aren't they?” The kid says as he motions over to Marcia and Two-bit who are all over each other. Chet laughs and nods.
“Yeah, it's ridiculous,” Chet says with a smile and Chet can already tell he likes this kid. He sets down the rag he was wiping the counter with and puts a hand out for Chet to shake. Chet is almost surprised, he's never met a greaser who is this polite, but then again, he doesn't meet many greasers (at least ones he wasn't trying to punch).
“I'm Steve,” he says and Chet takes his hand. Chet tells him his name and the two continue talking while Marcia and Two-bit do… whatever it is they're doing. Steve pauses talking to him when an actual customer comes in, and that's when his coworker finally appears from the back. It's none other than the kid he fought at the rumble. He doesn't notice Chet, so Chet can't help but keep his eyes on him as he leans on the counter as he and Steve help the older woman that's standing there. There's something about him that's drawing Chet in. Chet studies his face that has dirt and motor oil across it just like his hands, Chet sees. When the boy smiles and laughs at something the woman says, Chet feels something in his chest tighten.
The woman leaves the store and Steve comes back over to him to keep talking, but Chet really can't take his eyes off the other boy. He doesn't know what it is about him. Is it just that this is the first time he's truly seen him? The first time he's seen him while he isn't covered in mud and rain and with blood all over him? Or is it something else? He doesn't know. He keeps talking to Steve as he watches the other boy talk to Two-bit and Marcia. He knows Steve has noticed the way he can't keep his eyes off his coworker in the slight smile on his face, but Chet doesn't care.
When Two-bit and Marcia start making out again, the boy slides over next to Steve and it's the first time Chet truly sees his eyes. They're so blue. Bluer than the ocean was when they visited his grandma in California. Chet remembers his eyes from the rumble, how could he not? They were face to face punching each other, there were tears in his eyes then, but now, all Chet sees in them is an infectious sort of joy, and the smallest hint of recognition. He must have been staring at the boy for too long because suddenly Steve is clapping on the shoulder and saying, “This is Chet,” Chet jumps but nods and sticks his hand out to shake the boy's.
The boy smiles and says, “I'm Sodapop, but you can call me Soda,” and takes his hand. Sodapop. That's his name. Chet thinks it fits him perfectly, and he doesn't even know him. While he shakes Soda's hand, he's able to feel every intricacies of Sodapop’s hand that he already feels so familiar with (he spent two weeks with bruises from it painted across his face). Chet finds himself thinking that he wants to keep learning everything about Soda, and he quickly pulls his hand away. Chet doesn't know what it is, but it's like there is this magnetic pull towards Sodapop. There's just something about him that is drawing Chet in, which is why he's glad when Marcia is tapping him on the shoulder and telling him it's time to go. Chet says goodbye to them and follows Marcia at the door, giving a glance back at Soda.
They hop in the car and Marcia starts saying something to him, but Chet can't bring himself to pay any attention to her words. He doesn't know why he can't stop thinking about Soda. He thinks he still feels bad about the rumble. He definitely wasn't in the best space when they were rolling around in the mud throwing punches, so he thinks he just wants to apologize to him, which is what he tells Maricia when she asks him what's going on with him.
He just needs to apologize to Soda, and that will clear all this up, right?
—
Soda doesn't really mind working at the DX; he gets to spend most days with his best friend, and it's sure as hell better than school. Him and Steve are working when Two-bit comes in and sits at the counter, telling them that Marcia and her friend are coming by. Soda knows he's talking about Chet, and it almost makes him…nervous? Sodas not sure, there's just something about him. Soda is still thinking about the rumble, he doesn't know if Chet remembers him. He doesn't know if Chet remembers that whole week like he does. Soda shakes the thought off as he starts helping a customer.
About 20 minutes later, (during which Two-bit bothers every customer Soda is just trying to help), Marcia and Chet are walking in the door. Soda's eyes immediately meet Chets, and they are both looking away quickly. Soda finishes helping a customer before he slides over to where Steve is talking to Chet. They all have a short conversation before Marcia is pulling Chet away, Two-bit following. Soda let Steve do most of the talking, which is something he would normally never allow, but he was too busy studying the boy in front of him. There's something about him that Soda is drawn to, and it's a little scary.
The door closes behind the socs, and Steve is nudging him in the side. “You have your eye on him, don't you?” Steve is playfully asking. Soda is quick to tell him no. Soda knows dating another boy is already pushing it, let alone a soc. Soda doesn't think he can stand socs that much. Either way, he goes to bed that night wondering about it, picturing the soc he fought at the rumble.
—
Marcia hasn't dragged him back to the DX in over a week, but Chet can't stop thinking about Sodapop. That's how he ends up at the DX one day after school by himself. When he walks in, Steves at the counter and waves to him before quickly disappearing into the back. Chet sits down at the counter until Soda comes out from the back, wiping his forehead. Chet can tell he must've been working on a car, he's got dirt all over him and oil on his hands that he's wiping off as he leans against the counter and flashes Chet a smile, “Hey,” Soda says and tucks his rag into his pocket. Chet didn't exactly have a plan for coming over here, he just wanted to apologize for the rumble in hope this feeling in his chest goes away.
“I'm sorry,” Chet blurts out. Soda tilts his head a bit and looks at him.
“For what?” Soda asks and Chet looks away from his face. He feels a bit stupid now, maybe Soda doesn't even recognize him.
“The rumble,” Chet whispers, still not looking up. Soda is silent but doesn't have a chance to say anything before a customer comes in and Soda has to help them. Chet can feel Soda continuing to glance at him while he helps the customer. Chet really wants to just get up and walk out, to call this done and not to have to think about this boy with his piercing blue eyes and perfect smile anymore and go back to the west side where everything feels simpler; but something inside him says he can't, so he waits for Soda.
When the customer finally leaves, Soda comes right back over to him. Chet keeps his eyes down on an oil stain on Soda's shirt so he doesn't have to look him in the eyes because Soda's gaze feels like it's seeing every little part of him, and Chet doesn't know if that's good or bad. “It's not your fault,” Soda whispers and shrugs, Chet looks up at him while he continues, “What happened happened, neither of us can change that,” Chet nods and tries to believe him, but when he's looking down at his hands resting on the counter, all he can think about is how he used them to punch the boy in front of him until they were both bleeding in the dirt. He doesn't notice he's zoned until Soda is gently grabbing his hand. Chet's first instinct is to flinch away, but he doesn't. Instead, he lets Soda grab his hand. Neither of them say anything, but Chet still understands.
Chet wants to think for a moment that it's weird that Soda is just holding his hand on the counter now, but something about it feels so right, so natural. Sodapop’s hands are warm on his cold ones. Chet has his back to the door, but he hears it open And Soda quickly pulls away before whispering to him, “Come back tomorrow at 5, okay?” Soda looks hopeful, so Chet flashes him a smile and nods before getting up and leaving, taking one last glance at Soda.
The feeling in Chet's chest certainly isn't gone, but he doesn't think it's a bad thing anymore either.
—
Chet shows up at the DX the next day right at 5, where Soda is waiting for him with what Chet is beginning to learn is his signature smile. Chet smiles right back as Soda waves bye to Steve and comes over. He isn't wearing his uniform anymore, Chet notices, instead, he has on some worn jeans and a flannel shirt. “C'mon,” Soda says and leads Chet outside to a beat up looking pickup truck parked in the back. Soda tells him to hop in, so he does. Soda starts driving and they sit in comfortable silence, although Chet is a bit nervous, from the fact that he has no clue where Soda is taking him, or the fact this feels more like a date than anything else, Chet isn't sure, but he doesn't mind, not when Soda has the window down a bit and is smiling at the crisp spring air hitting his face.
“Where are you taking me?” Chet asks, “I feel slightly like I'm being kidnapped,” Chet adds, and it earns a smile from Soda —just like he was hoping it would– and Chet feels something in his chest flare again.
“Oh, yeah. I'm taking you out to the woods to sacrifice you to a cult,” Soda jokes and Chet can't help but laugh. Soda looks over and flashes him another smile that makes his chest flare again before turning into the parking lot of a diner that Chet's never been to. They get out and Soda leads him to a booth near the back. Chet thinks it feels so natural, sitting here and talking with him. Chet learns his favorite color is yellow, and he loves horses, but he also learns that he's the older brother of that Ponyboy kid Chet and his friends did all that too. Chet is still ashamed of that, even as Soda brushes right over it like it doesn't mean anything to him as he continues talking.
Soda lets Chet pay for them when they finish, but Soda says he wants to take Chet one more place. Chet happily hops back into the truck, trying to ignore how right this feels. Soda keeps talking and Chet is more than happy to listen to the soft drawl of his voice. He wonders how someone like him can be so carefree and that just makes Chet want to spend even more time with him.
Soda pulls off the main road and drives down a short dirt path before parking the car and hopping out. Chet can't keep the smile off his face as Sodapop hops up into the hood of the car, motioning for Chet to do the same. The engine is warm beneath him, and when he looks up to the night sky, his breath is almost taken away from the expanse of stars. Soda smiles at him and Chet wishes he could stay in this moment for forever. “Isn't it beautiful?” Soda whispers as he looks back up to the sky.
“Yeah,” Chet replies, never taking his eyes away from the boy beside him. Chet wonders for a second how they ended up pummeling each other in the face a few months ago when this is so much better.
Chet looks back to the stars and realizes he really wants to kiss Sodapop Curtis.
Chet feels his face heat up and his heart speed up. Sure, Chet has kissed plenty of soc girls at parties, but he doesn't want to kiss Soda the way he kissed them. Chet isn't quite sure what that means for him, but he doesn't get much chance to think about it because Soda is rolling over on his side and suddenly Soda's head is resting on his arm. Chet stays perfectly still for a moment before he relaxes into the touch. He can feel Soda smiling and he realizes he is too. After a moment, Chet moves his hand down so he can intertwine his fingers with Soda's.
Something about all this just feels so… right. The two of them just seem to fit together like this while they're under the moonlight. Neither of them say anything for a while until Soda starts sitting up and saying he needs to get home soon otherwise his brother will kill him. Chet sits up too, mourning the loss of Soda warmth and makes a quick decision before Soda slides off the hood. Chet gently grabs Soda's face and Soda looks at him in this way that Chet knows is a yes. Chet doesn't hesitate to lean in and his lips find Sodas and suddenly Soda's hands are holding his face and all of this feels so incredibly right.
At least, it does until Chet comes back to his senses and realizes exactly what he's doing; kissing a boy, a greaser, no less.
Before he's even thinking he's pulled himself out of Soda's soft touch and is standing yards away in the tall grass with his hands over his mouth and breathing hard. He doesn't know how much of it is from the kiss versus this crippling panic that seems to be finding its way up his spine and into his lungs. It's making his ears ring and his vision blur.
He knows he's breathing too quickly but he can't stop. He doesn't know why, but the only thing he can think of for a moment is the image of Soda during the rumble underneath him, covered in mud and bleeding and soaked to the bone.
Chet can't believe he really did that. He's never thought of himself as a queer, never even considered it, not with his dad around. He's not, right? It's just… There's something undeniable about Sodapop Curtis that's pulled Chet into his orbit. So… maybe it's okay?
Chet doesn't know how long he's been standing completely still except for the shaking of his shoulders as he tries to breathe and hold himself together when Soda's face is in front of him and he's gently prying his hands away from digging into his arm and taking them in his own. Chet can tell he's saying something so he tries to listen through the ringing in his ear and the sound of his own breathing. Soda brings his hand up to his chest as he takes deep breaths and eventually Chet is able to follow them enough that his whole world isn't spinning any more. He tries to focus on the feel of Soda's warm hands on his and the steady rise and fall of Soda's chest.
Soda gently brings his hand away now that Chet is breathing much more normally. “You with me again?” Soda asks gently with a sad smile on his face. Chet let's himself focus on the feeling of his lungs filling with air before he nods and squeezes Soda's hands that are still holding his. Chet still isn't looking Soda in the face when he speaks again, more hesitant than Chet has ever heard Soda be, “Do you want me to drive you back? Cuz’ that's just fine,” Soda rushes out. Somehow, Chet doesn't have to think about his response.
“No, no. I…” Chet finally looks to Soda's face, “How'd you… know what to do?” Chet doesn't want to say it, he doesn't even know what to call his… episode?
“My brothers,” Soda shrugs it off, but Chet sees something flash in his eyes. Neither of them say anything for a moment.
“Im sorry,” Chet whispers, “for that,” Chet doesn't know exactly what he's sorry for, but he knows he is.
“You don't have to–” Soda starts as he begins to bring his hand up to Chet's face but he stops himself before he touches him. The action has Chet's chest aching. He doesn't deserve this boy in front of him, he thinks, but he leans into Soda's palm anyway.
The touch is different from before. There's something unspoken passed between them as Soda gently runs his thumbs over Chet's cheek bone, wiping away a stray tear that Chet didn't even know had fallen. Chet lets out a breathy laugh before smiling and leaning forward to rest his forehead on Soda's shoulder. Soda brings his hands up into his hair and holds him close. Chet lets his arms wrap around Soda too.
Chet's never had someone like this before. He's never had anyone to just hold him and tell him it will be okay. They stand there for a long time in a silent understanding before Soda finally takes him home.
—
The two of them have called everyday since that night, but they haven't gotten to see each other again. That's why Chet doesn't hesitate to say yes when Marcia asks him to drive her over to the Curtis house, and that Two-bit told her that he should come with her.
Chet has these butterflies in his chest as they walk up to the front door. Marcia knocks and Two-bit answers smiling at them and have them come in. It isn't long before Marcia is lost in her little world with him.
Chet looks around. The house is what he'd expect from an east side house, but it seems like much more of a home than any expensive west side house he's ever been to. The Curtis house feels lived in, he realizes.
Chet's looking at the photographs on the wall as he tries to ignore Marcia and Two-bit making out on the couch when Soda comes in through the front door with a bright smile on his face. Chet can't help his own smile when he sees him. He's still in his DX uniform and has dirt smudged all over him and his hairs a mess, but Chet thinks he's more beautiful than ever. (Chet thinks that's a bit of a scary thought so he tries to push it away a bit and not think of it).
“Hey!” Soda greets him as he pulls off his boots and leaves them by the door before coming over and gently grabbing his arm and leading him down the hallway, but not before Marcia and Two-bit give them a knowing look.
Soda leads him into what he assumes is his bedroom. Chet sits on the bed and watches as Soda digs through his dresser trying to find a shirt, but all Chet can think about is how he wants to kiss him. He wants to actually kiss Soda and not run away from it this time.
Soda is rambling on about something from work as he finds his new shirt and throws it down on the bed and he takes off his current one, and with Soda now just in his dirty tank top, Chet can't take it anymore, so he grabs Soda's wrist as he goes to take off the tank top. Soda stops in the middle of his sentence and looks at him waiting for an answer. “Can you-” Chet starts then pulls Soda closer by his wrist, “Can you kiss me please?” Soda grins and moves so he's in between Chet's legs as he leans down and presses their lips together.
It's even better than the first time as Chet lets his hands grip Soda's waist. He moves his fingers under the soft fabric of his tank top until he finds Soda's warm skin beneath. Soda smiles into the kiss as he pushes Chet down so his back is against the bed, pulling away for a second, “Is this okay?” Soda asks through his panting. Chet just pulls him closer so he's on top of him. Soda smiles into the kiss and Chet knows this boy is good for him.
When the two of them finally come back out of Sodapop’s bedroom —disheveled at best— Two-bit tells Marcia and Chet to stay for dinner. Chet sees the look on Marcia's face. So he agrees.
Dinner is nice. Ponyboy doesn't make anything awkward, luckily, and it seems that he's actually friends with Marcia because of Cherry. He still talks to Chet after he has a silent conversation with his brother. Pony is a good kid, and Chet still feels horrible for everything.
Before he leaves, Soda takes Chet back to his bedroom to grab his shoes. “Thank you,” Soda says through his smile as he watches him slip on his shoes.
“For what?” Chet asks.
“For this,” Soda replies and when Chet looks back up, Soda is holding his face and kissing him sweetly. Chet smiles into it, knowing he's found himself stuck in the right boy's orbit.