Chapter Text
The Curtis house was quieter than usual. Not silent; it was never silent with the gang around. But it was quieter. It was one of those heavy summer evenings where even the crickets sounded worn out. Soda and Steve had wandered off to god-knows-where an hour ago. Ponyboy was sitting on the couch reading under the lamp and Johnny was resting his head on Pony’s shoulder, listening to Pony read quietly, Darry was in the kitchen cooking Dallas Winston was pacing in the carpet as if he'd declared war on staying still.
Honestly, that wasn’t too strange, what was strange was that Dallas had lit three cigarettes and forgotten to smoke any of them. Two-Bit watched from the leather chair in the corner of the living room, squinting. “You got ghosts followin’ you or somethin’?”
“No.”
“You pacin’ ‘cause the cops after you?”
“No.”
“You commit a murder?”
Dallas shot him a flat look. “Wouldn’t tell you if I did.”
“Fair enough.”
Two-Bit grinned, but it faded as Dallas started pacing again. Fast, Agitated. His hands were shoved in his jacket pockets, even with the heat, okay that was extremely weird.
“Alright,” Two-Bit said, standing up. “You’re freakin’ me out now.”
“I ain’t doing nothin'.”
“You're wearin' a path into the carpet like a stressed-out zoo animal.”
“Shut up.”
“No, seriously.” Two-Bit stepped in front of him, blocking another lap. “Why’re you actin' so strange?”
Dallas froze, actually froze.Like someone had unplugged him. For a second, Two-Bit thought Dallas might swing at him just on principle. Instead, Dallas rubbed both hands over his face and groaned. “I’m sleep deprived,” he muttered. “Haven’t eaten in like two days ago, and I have a crush on you, so I don’t know how to act normal right now.”
Two-Bit blinked. “…What?”
Dallas’ eyes widened slightly, as if he'd just realized he had spoken. “Forget I said that.”
“No, no,” Two-Bit said quickly, pointing at him. “You can’t just drop that and walk away.”
“I can try.”
“You got a crush on me?”
Dallas looked like he wanted the earth to swallow him whole. This was a new expression for Dallas Winston, and honestly, it was fascinating.
“It ain’t a big deal.”
“Ain’t a big—” Two-Bit laughed. “Dallas, you looked like you were ready to fight a mailbox earlier because I asked if you wanted half my candy bar.”
“You were being nice to me.”
“Yeah?”
“That’s weird.”
Two-Bit stared at him for a beat before laughing harder, loud enough that Pony and Johnny looked up from the book.
“What’s so funny?” Ponyboy called.
“Dal’s in love with me!”
Ponyboy nearly fell off the couch.
Dallas groaned. “I hate you.”
“No, you don’t, you’re in love with me” Two-Bit said, still grinning.
Dally muttered something into his hands that sounded like, “That’s the problem.”
That actually made Two-Bit’s chest tighten a bit. Because Dallas Winston didn’t say vulnerable things. He fought every emotion with his fists and a bad attitude. But right now, he just looked worn out. Two-Bit’s grin faded into something softer. “Hey.”
Dallas doubtful in a way that made Two-Bit’s chest ache a little.
“You serious?” Dallas peeked at him through his fingers.
“When’s the last time you slept?”
“…Wednesday.”
“It’s Sunday.”
“I know how calendars work.”
“And eaten?”
Dally shrugged.
“Oh my fuckin' god.” Two-Bit grabbed his wrist. “C’mon.”
“Where we going?”
“To feed you before you die dramatically in front of me.”
“I ain’t dramatic.”
“You confessed your love like a war veteran in a rainstorm.”
“There ain’t even rain!”
Two-Bit snorted and pulled him down the sidewalk. Dallas resisted for maybe three seconds before giving up and letting himself be led along. That also felt weird. Nice weird.
“You serious?” Dallas asked suddenly.
Two-Bit glanced over. “About what?”
“You ain’t freaked out?”
“Nah.”
“You should be.”
“I’ve known you forever, Dal. You threaten people for fun and steal jackets like a raccoon. A crush ain’t that scary compared to the rest of your personality.”
Dallas huffed a laugh despite himself.
“And,” Two-Bit added, bumping their shoulders together, “for the record, I kinda like you too.”
Dallas stopped walking so suddenly that Two-Bit almost yanked his arm out of its socket.
“You what?”
“Wow,” Two-Bit said. “You really are sleep deprived. Your hearing’s terrible.”
Dallas stared at him, ice blue eyes wide and doubtful in a way that made Two-Bit’s chest ache a little.
“You serious?” Dallas repeated quietly.
“Yeah, dummy.”
For a long moment, Dallas just looked at him.
Then, finally, he laughed. It was small and tired, but real.
“Okay,” he said. “I might actually sleep tonight then.”
Two-Bit grinned. “After I feed you.”
“You always this bossy?”
“You like it.”
Dallas rolled his eyes, but he didn’t let go of Two-Bit’s wrist for the rest of the walk.