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Mr. Randle had a buddy named Mr. Green. Darry always had a weird feeling about him, maybe it was the way he looked at him, or they would be sitting on the porch drinking a beer and Mr. Green's eyes would be on them as they played.
Mr. Green always made weird comments like “How well you've grown” as he touched your shoulders. Darry always had a weird feeling about Mr. Green, so did his parents because they would actively keep Soda and Ponyboy away from him.
Overhearing conversations of his mom saying: “I just don't like the way he looks at them”
His dad would always try to comfort her, saying “He was only going to be in town for a week” or “Mr. Randle wouldn't let anyone bad around them”
Even though his dad had a bad feeling about Mr. Green too. There's no proof anything was wrong, he never heard Steve complain about Mr. Green so why should he have to worry?
So Darry always tried to shove the thoughts in the back of his head, never forgetting just minimizing the thoughts.
That was until years later 20 year old Darry recently worked on The Randle's roof after one particular bad storm, he left some of his stuff over and he was on his way home from work, so he was sure Mr Randle wouldn't mind him popping by.
Darry made the direction change to stop by Randles First thing before heading home.
When Darry pulled up to the house he noticed Mr. Randle's car wasn't there, but a beat up rusted Chevy was there. Darry thought for a good long moment when he realized it, “I didn't know he was in town” he mumbled.
That was a slight turn off because interacting with Mr
Green was not something he felt like doing tonight. His tools weren't going anywhere. He could always do it the next day.
Darry played with his decisions for a minute deciding whatever he'll just go grab his tools and leave, It wouldn't be a big deal and he'll get it out of the way now.
Darry got out of the truck, his back cracking ever so slightly, then he made long strides to the front door.
Once in front of the door he noticed the door was unlocked, “Odd..” Darry mumbled usually the door was locked.
What made it even weirder the curtains were shut tight, Mrs, Randle became more included, barely came out throughout the years, but he knew one thing: She never shut the blinds and forgot to lock the door that wasn't like her, not at all.
Darry was it just about to head back home and do it tomorrow, would it be more of a hassle? Yeah but not the biggest deal in the world.
But when he went to turn around something in his gut was telling him to go in, a more urgent feeling came over him. Darry went back to the truck, his hand on the door handle.
He looked at the front door then the truck door. He rolled around in his head a couple of times before going back to the front door. It wouldn't hurt would it?
He was being stupid about this over some curtains and an unlocked door.
Darry placed his hand on the door handle before twisting it and pushing the door open.
The noises of a struggle came as soon as the door swung open.
It didn't take long before Darry's eyes landed on it. Mr. Green was on top of Steve, his pants were half down.
Then there was Steve, his hair was a mess as he was trying to fight off the heavier man, his white beater being ever so slightly pulled up.
“Just take it ya little shit!” Mr. Green's voice was rough as blood dripped from his nose, “Just be that good boy I know and take it!”
Darry could only stand there for a minute like his brain was trying to piece together the obvious. Then before he could even articulate it his voice boomed, “What The Hell Do Ya Think You're Doing.” His voice was rough and harsh.
His voice was loud enough to make Mr. Green's head shot up, his face was a mixture of shock and the look of a kid's hand being caught in a cookie jar.
“It's-It’s uh…big misunderstandin…I…” Mr. Green's words fumbled around as he got off of Steve pulling his pants up.
“Just get the hell out.” Darry spoke sternly “Get”
He pathetically fumbled around for his car keys before he started heading out the door, not fast enough for Darry because he went behind him and started shoving Mr. Green the rest of the way out.
Then Darry's eyes went on Steve.
Steve sat on the ground, his knuckle had blood on them, he tried to keep that tuff greaser look but his eyes had a look of pain and fear as his breathing shook.
“Ya good?” Darry spoke, he quickly regretted it. Of course he wasn't good.
Steve just mumbles a “yeah…” Not looking up, a look of shame was on his face.
The two men were just quietly staring at the ground, maybe making eye contact once or twice.
“C’mon…let's just-”
“No.” Steve said sternly.
Darry stood for a minute, he would leave now and forget about any of this but, No that would be stupid, now was a great time. Hell even a good time to get him out of this house.
“Wasn't askin I'm telling you” Darry finally shot back making Steve stare at him, honestly he didn't want to go with Darry because that meant he actually had to confront the situation more than what happened.
On the other hand…
Steve got up and started walking out the door and Darry quickly followed behind shutting the door behind them.
Quickly they got to the truck, Steve got into the passenger seat and it took Darry longer because it started to hit him in waves but he opened the truck door and got into the driver's seat.
Soon the truck started up and pulled out of the house driveway.
Steve just looked out the passenger side window not even looking up and Darry just focused harshly on the road in front of him.
From a road that only took maybe 10 minutes to get home turned into a 20 minute road, because Darry couldn't just go home and say nothing.
It was silence between the two until Darry sighed and spoke up, “I know What you're going to say but we need to tell you Da-”
“No.”
His head whipped back, No? Darry couldn't help but shoot Steve a look “What do you mean no?”
“I just- just no!” Steve flopped his back onto the passenger seat, crossing his arms. “He already knows anyway…”
“What…?”
“I said he already knows.” Steve repeated “He doesn't believe me…”
Darry was quiet for a minute, then his eyes widened. “This has happened before?” Darry asked. For some reason his mind couldn't wrap around this.
Steve didn't respond, which gave the answer.
“Then…Then what about your ma…?”
“She doesn't care…She never will care” Steve mumbles with hurt in his voice.
“Don't say that, We'll go get her from wherever she's at-”
“She was in the other room.” Steve said as he just stared down at the floorboard.
Darry ran a hand through his greased hair, how did he…How did none of them catch this?
Everything just kinda seemed to slow down, each breath, the sound of the blinker It all seemed to get loud, how could his parents…?
Darry's thoughts went all over but then he built up the courage to ask “How long.”
Steve didn't respond.
“How. Long.” Darry said again leaving no room for arguments.
Steve didn't respond, he refused to.
“Then how old Steve…I.mean when did it start?” Darry knew he was basically asking the same question but it was worth a try.
The silence of the car was deafening, Steve had a slight shake as his gaze stayed out the passenger window.
“12…” Steve finally mumbled under his breath that shame twisted in his voice.
“12….oh God…” Darry shook his head.
Everything started to make sense, in a weird way. That creepy feeling he got around Mr. Green, that wasn't just a weird coincidence, there was something, there was something going on right under all their noses.
Darry kept thinking back, behavior started making sense, but…at the same time it didn't.
Darry's thoughts trailed off as he ran a hand through his hair…the tools oh yeah the tools, the only reason why he went over to the Randle household in the first place.
The road was very quiet, Darry couldn't believe out of all things he was worried about the damn tools…Those stupid damn tools.
Soon they pulled up to the Curtis home, they just sat there for who knows how long before Darry mumbles, “C’mon”
Steve was the first one to quickly hop out of the truck and go inside.
Darry just sat there, he hated it. he punched the steering wheel, he desperately wanted to punch the hell out of Mr. Green.
Steve was getting molested for at least 5 years…Five whole years.
Darry stepped out of the truck, and headed out of the truck and headed inside the house too, Steve was already laying on the couch.
“Steve…” Darry started.
“Don't.” Steve said coldly.
Darry didn't say anything, maybe this wasn't his place to speak, so he started to go down the hall before saying “I'm sorry…We didn't know”
Steve was quiet as he just stared up at the ceiling laying on the couch.
Darry signed and finally spoke again “Why didn't you say anythin…? At least something”
Darry and Steve stared at each other for a good long while before Steve mumbles “What would be the point?”
“The point?” Darry spoke in disbelief, what could Steve possibly mean by the point “The Point would be you not getting hurt anymore!” Darry quickly made himself go quiet to make sure not to wake Soda or Ponyboy up.
It would be better for both of them if they weren't awake.
Steve quickly sat up “Can we just drop it and forget about it.”
“Forget it? Are you kidding me? Forget it? Now ain't that just-” Darry went to argue back but then decided to drop it “You know what? Fine, forget it.”
Then Darry went straight to his room, shutting the door, not looking back.
He flopped onto his bed as it made a slight creek noise, tonight was just too much…
Darry rolled over onto his back, his thoughts swished around back and forth. He couldn't believe it that he missed this one crucial thing.
It was right in front of them…How could they have missed it? Darry kept thinking back everything made sense. It wasn't like Mr. Green was hiding it.
The way Mr. Green rubbed Steve's shoulders, and called him a ‘pretty boy’ It was right there, every sign pointed right to that but still he missed it.
Darry rolled into his side, his thoughts got darker, Maybe they were so focused on Johnny It was hard to look past it.
He didn't want to think that but…Maybe that was the reason why they missed it, Darry quickly shook his head, grabbing his pillow and throwing it over his head.
His fist balled up before punching the bed frame lightly.
Ever since the “Braun no brains” comment came about Darry held a little bit of a grudge, maybe That's why he didn't notice, He was so selfish that he couldn't just see the main thing that was happening-
Darry's thoughts were snapped out when the door opened slightly revealing a tired looking Soda.
“Darry…?”
“Yeah?” Darry was able to force out.
“Is someone crashing tonight?”
Darry nods “Steve is.”
“Oh alright then- Darry…? You alright?” Soda then asked out.
Darry looked up, a part of him wanted to tell his younger brother what he witnessed but no no no That wasn't his story to share.
“Yeah, just tired.”
Soda wanted to press more on the issue but It was late and he had work in the morning, they both did so Soda stepped back and went back to him and Ponyboy's shared bedroom.
Darry sat there for who knows how long but then his feet moved on his own as he got up and went back to the living room.
Steve was still laying on the couch staring up at the ceiling in deep thought.
“Steve.” Darry finally called out, making him look at Darry before quickly turning away.
“Steve.”
Steve sat up with a slight glare, “What? I'm trying to sleep here.”
“Please…” Darry looked around for a minute trying to find the words but no words seemed right. The right words just didn't show up so he just said the only thing he felt like he could say, “I'm sorry.”
“You already said that.” Steve shot back, keeping his walls high and tight around him.
“I know I know I did…just I'm sorry I didn't notice”
Steve stayed silent just sitting on the couch looking at his shoes.
Darry just nods looking around the room before speaking, “I won't tell anyone…That's your decision but knowing you probably haven't said anything- I…I won't say anything”
Steve nods looking up for a brief second before looking back down “ok…thank you…”
Darry nods, walking by him laying a hand on his shoulder, Steve tensed up slightly at the touch.
Darry felt slight regret at the action but continued on to what he was going to say, “Just letting you know…You got a place here no matter what”
Steve's breath hitched slightly his eyes slightly widen before looking away, Darry took that as his cue to leave the boy alone. He nods, moving his hand away from his shoulder before heading to the hall.
Before Darry could make it all the way down the hall, Steve's voice, more vulnerable than usual, spoke up, “Can you…Can you be there if I tell everyone…?”
Darry froze up slightly, he never expected this…he was never all that close to Steve, out of the whole gang It was Soda and Two-Bit were closer to him, hell even Ponyboy was somehow closer to Steve and they kind of hated each other or mildly dislike each other at best.
“I-”
“Please?”
Darry turned to look at Steve before nodding, “Yeah…Yeah I can”
“Ok..” Steve said quietly, laying back down on the couch.
Darry nods before hearing a quiet voice from couch, “Night…Superman”
Darry laughed slightly at the stupid nickname, but this time It felt more genuine, the nickname felt like there's more weight to it than any other time.
“Yeah…night”
Darry nodded before heading to his room, he knew tomorrow was going to be something but at least night Steve was going to be safe.
“Heh Superman…” Darry mumbled to himself with pride as he fell asleep for the night.