Chapter Text
Darrel Curtis—or just Darry—has been unofficially married to Paul Holden for 3 years. They had a simple backyard wedding in the Curtis home. Gay marriage wasn't legal and was seen as "sinful" or just gross. The gang had been real supportive of Darry's marriage. They didn't like Pual so much since he's a soc but they like him well enough. Plus, it was kinda funny how two of the strongest guys in Tulsa were getting married to each. Everyone thought they'd get married to a nice broad somewhere but it seems like the universe had a different idea.
Currently Darry was looking through the mail at the kitchen table. Paul was attempting to make some good dinner but he's not the best at cooking. As Darry looked through the mail, he noticed a flyer for a nonprofit adoption center. It allowed anyone to adopt. Darry just scoffed. Ponyboy and Sodapop had already stressed him out enough, he didn’t need a kid to take care of. Sadly, Paul saw the flyer. Pual had the biggest soft spot for kids. He's absolutely smitten by them. He's always wanted a kid or two.
"What's that you got there?" He peeked over as the chicken began to burn.
"Nothin'. Just a flyer for an adoption center." Darry waves Paul off so he doesn't get ideas just yet. Sadly, it's too late.
"An adoption center? Let me see," he grabs the flyer an looks through it more. He finds that they're near by. Only a 15 minute drive, "Oh, Darry, we should go!"
"No, Paul. You think they'll allow two gay men adopted a kid?"
"It says they allow anyone!"
"Yeah, they probably mean single mothers or single people or I don't know. Not gay people, Paul."
"Can we try! I've always wanted a little cutie running around the house."
"I know. Let's just think it over a bit till we make a big decision like adopting a kid."
"Alright.." Pual says we a hint of sadness.
The door opens with a creek to it and voice is heard, "Geez, it smells like somethin' burning in here," it was Dally.
"Yeah, it does," And Ponyboy. They would be surprised if Johnny was there too.
They entered the kitchen and saw the pot of chicken letting out smoke. Paul turned around and quickly took the chicken out. It was burnt and rock hard. Guess they were eating takeout tonight. Ponyboy sat down next to Darry before speaking.
"What happened?" He said as he looked at the kitchen counter.
"Nothin'. Paul just got distracted. We got this flyer."
Ponyboy took the flyer from Darry's hand and read it, "An a adoption center?"
"What, you guys planning on getting a little brat now?" Dally said cold heartedly as he light a cigarette.
"No.. Well, Paul wants one. But we're gonna think it over."
"Great, so there's gonna be a little brat cryin' and being a brat around here now?"
"C'mon, Dal.. It ain' that bad," Johnny timidly said. Though, Darry could see Johnny wasn't that big of a fan of the idea.
"Hey, Pony. Can you call the pizza shop?" Darry asked, trying to change the subject.
"Sure. How many slices?" Ponyboy went to the telephone and started dialing the number.
"Eight."
"Plain or?"
"Pepperoni!" Dally shouted from the couch.
"Okay!" Ponyboy shouted back.
Nothing much happened after that. The pizza was pretty good. Johnny stayed over and slept on the couch. He's parents were fighting again. Paul and Darry were in bed. Darry couldn't sleep that night. He keep thinking about the adoption center. He didn’t know if he'd make a good dad. He could deal with a teen sure but he's never dealt with a toddler. He wouldn't mind having a kid around here but he didn’t know if it'd be safe. They didn't have financial issues thanks to Paul's status and family. But what if they couldn't care for a kid? Paul liked kids but would he be able to take care of one? Maybe. Eventually, Darry fell asleep. He couldn't remember when—probably after all that thinking.
The next day, Paul was still talking about the adoption center. He kept rambling on and on about how they're fit for being parents and yada yada. This went on for a full week. Paul couldn't stop. For a strong guy, he sure was a soft in the heart for kids without parents. Darry began to think about more and more. It wouldn't be so bad. They had the space ever since Sodapop moved in with Steve and Ponyboy was staying in the college campus more and more. He'd need to ask Ponyboy if it was okay to renovate his room if they do get a kid.
Eventually, they came to an agreement. Paul and Darry would go to the adoption center named "Sunnyside center" and see if they could even adopt there. If they could, they'd look at some of the kids they had there and then decide if they could take care of any of the kids needs. They'd do the rest later.