Fluff

Sodapop’s POV

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I was working up a storm at the DX. During the summer months, it gets way busier. More girls came over to try and swoon me, but it never worked. I would always roll my eyes. After Sandy, my taste in a woman was practically gone. I saw the way some of them treated their boy toys. All they wanted, was the money and the boy’s body, and I could only roll my eyes. Besides, I don’t need a gal because I already have a partner, my boyfriend, Dallas.

It may seem crazy, but it’s true, Dallas and I are dating. Two-Bit said it would last for only a month when we announced it to everyone but nope! Here we are 5 years later, still madly in love and happier than we’ve ever been. I was excited because today was our 5th anniversary, and I know Dallas was planning something special.

I couldn’t wait. I was pretty disappointed in myself cause I didn’t have enough money to get Dally anything or take him anywhere. Though I had scraped up enough money to get him another St Christopher pendant since he had lost his last week in another rumble. From what I know he hasn’t found it, so this would be my present to him.

I checked the time, it was around 2:30 PM, and Steve and I were gonna be shutting down for the night soon. “Phew I’m tired, let’s get a coke and hurry up. I wanna go and relax.” Steve said and stretched. I only grinned and nodded. We closed up quicker than usual and then started heading home. Usually, we close around 7 when the sun begins to set, but tonight, Dallas told us to close early because he had a surprise.

Usually, Steve doesn’t mind Dallas, but now Steve is good friends with Dal. Of course, I get jealous, but I know Dallas loves me, so I don’t mind. Once we were on the block of my house, I could see a silhouette of someone sitting on the stairs, a glowing ember of a cigarette. They turned their head this way, and I saw them get up. As soon as I saw that leather jacket, I knew it was my Dallas. I grinned widely and ran over to him jumping into his arms. He wrapped his arms around me.

“Hey, Pepsi.” He said softly. “Hey Dal, whatcha got planned for us tonight?” I asked impatiently. He only chuckled. “Well at least eat lunch with us so you’ll have the energy to have fun.” He walked inside with me, and Steve followed behind. “Hey Soda, you’re home early,” Ponyboy said, looking at us. Johnny was behind him, carrying a pot from the stove to the kitchen counter. “Well yeah, Dallas is taking us out somewhere tonight.” I leaned against Dally. “Yeah, I’ll take Steve too if he wants to tag along.”

Steve’s eyes lit up. “Hell yeah, I’ll go! Where are we going?” I giggled. Steve sounded like a kid in a candy store. “That’s the surprise, Soda why don’t you help your brother serve lunch. I’ll be right back with Steve.” He gave me a small smile, and I nodded and then let go of him. “Alright then, don’t take too long.” I walked away, and Dallas pulled Steve back outside with him. They talked for about a minute or two before they walked back in.

“Oh boy Soda you’re gonna be so happy you won’t believe it,” Steve said, grinning, and then sat down on the couch. Dallas walked over, kissed my cheek and then grabbed a plate I had handed him. “Thanks, darling I appreciate it.” I looked at him while I held my plate. “You’re welcome.” I was serving the rest of the gang and then realized someone was missing.

“Hey, where’s Darry?” I looked around. “Oh, Mr Brain and Brawn?” Two-Bit said, getting off the floor with his face stuffed with some of the food. “He’s taking a rest, he pulled a muscle at work and came home early. I and Ponyboy got him to lay down so he’s in his room right now he’s okay though.” I took a sigh of relief. “Oh alright, I got a bit worried is all.” I smiled a bit and then put my plate down and made another. “I’ll put a plate in his room he needs to eat as well.”

I walked over to Darry’s room and knocked. After hearing a faint grunt, I entered and shut the door. I saw Darry on his bed, fiddling like a small block. I forgot what they’re called, a Rubik Cube? Eh forgot it. “Oh, Soda.” Darry smiled at me and put down the cube. “What’s that?” He looked at the plate when I had put it down. “Something Pony and Johnnycake whipped up in the kitchen before I and Steve got home. It’s some meatloaf with mashed potatoes and corn. I got you some since you need to eat while you rest.” I smiled while he grabbed his food.

“Oh, well at least they didn’t burn the house down,” Darry said and grinned softly. “Thank you Soda, I’ll take care of myself so I’ll be alright. Got any plans for tonight? I heard Steve yelling.” He looked at me again and took a bite of his food. “Yeah, Dallas is taking me and Steve somewhere. He said it’s a surprise so he won’t tell me where.” Darry nodded. “Make sure he brings you home before Midnight that’s my only rule, other than that we’re all good. Stay safe.” He patted my shoulder, and I hugged him. “Thanks, Darryl,” I said. He messed up my hair. “No problem Pepsi-Cola. Go on, you don’t wanna keep him waiting.”

I got up, walked out of the room, and then grabbed my plate. I was so excited to go. Dallas was on the couch talking about the last rodeo he was in for Buck to gamble his money on. Steve, Ponyboy, and Two-bit all seemed mesmerized by him, and I couldn’t see why they wouldn’t be why. His stories were always amazing and left me on the edge of my seat. I zoned out while eating until I felt someone hug me from behind. “Ready to go soon Sodapop?” Dally asked me quietly.

“Yeah, I’m reading to go right now.” I looked up at him and gave him a peck on the lips. “Well c’mon then, get Steve. I’ll get the car started.” He let go of me and walked out of the house. I put my plate in the sink after finishing the last of it and then shook Steve’s shoulder. “Hey, Dally’s waiting for us in the car. Let’s get going.” He smiled and got up and ran out the door with me following behind him. He got in first and went into the back of the car, and I got into the front seat with Dallas.

Dallas started driving fast, just how we liked it. He drove for a while, a good few hours if I could probably guess. I checked the time, and it was around 6:30 PM, and the sun was turning the sky into that burnt blue fading into an orange colour. I must’ve been half asleep because when I looked around us now, it looked like the countryside. “Dallas where are we?” I asked him since I noticed the car started slowing down. “Somewhere.” He said and glanced at me.

We came to a stop, and I got out of the car once it was parked. Steve and Dally followed behind me. “A…ranch?” I was confused, and then Dallas wrapped his arm around me. “Buck got a friend that works here, and I was able to convince Buck to convince his friend to do me a favour,” I remembered the name of this ranch. My dad used to take me when I worked at the stables. When we still had Mickey Mouse around. Thinking of Mickey Mouse made me frown. I looked at the ground. “I’ll be right back Soda,” Dallas said softly and walked away, disappearing into one of the buildings.

Steve stood next to me. “You alright Soda? Is it because of..?” His voice trailed off when I nodded. “Yeah, I just miss him y’know…” I mumbled. I wanted to sob. I missed that horse. I don’t care that it’s been years. Steve patted my bac. Soon I heard a horse neighing. “Soda, look who it is.” I looked up and stared for a moment before I gasped. I recognized that dark-gold coat anywhere. I took a few steps, jumped over the gate and ran over. Dallas was holding onto the reigns of the horse while he had a huge grin on his face.

“Mickey!” I said as I started to sob slightly. I wrapped my arms around the horse. I didn’t want to let go as I sobbed. I stood for a few minutes, but it felt like hours to me. “Soda, why don’t you take him for a ride,” Dallas said smiling, “I don’t know Dallas, I’m a bit rusty and I don’t remember a lot.” I scratched the back of my head. “Ah don’t worry about that Soda! C’mon, I’ll ride with you too if you’d like.” I smiled a bit and nodded. “Please and thank you?” He nodded and walked off back into the stables.

Soon he came out with another horse. It seemed a bit older than Mickey Mouse. The saddle had Dally’s name etched into it. “Dallas is this your horse?” I questioned. He grinned and nodded. “Gotta have a horse of my own for rodeos and horse races for Buck.” He said. I smiled and got onto my horse. We must’ve run around, practised different tricks, and then helped Steve try being on a horse for a few hours because it was dark in the sky.

“One more race please!” I begged Dallas, and he sighed softly. “Fine. One more race and then we gotta go home.” We once again got behind the white line. Steve had a checkered flag in his hand and looked at us. “Ready…Set…GO!” he waved the flag, and Dallas and I were off. His horse neighed while he leaned forward. “C’mon Mickey we can beat them!” I said, leaning forward slightly. I flicked the reigns, and in a few seconds, Mickey and I had left Dallas in the dust. We passed the finish line, and then we stopped. I cheered happily.

“Mickey is mighty fast, but I’ll always stick with my old steed,” Dallas said and got off his horse. I only giggled. “That horse never acts that obedient. At least that’s what the previous owner told me.” Dallas said and smiled. He walked towards a trailer. It had wheels and small rectangular on the sides of it. Looks like one of those cars that they transported horses in. He turned to me. “Well? Are you gonna just stand there or are you gonna come over here with mickey? I gotta get you back home soon Soda.”

I was a bit surprised. “Don’t we have to put them back in the stables..?” I questioned, but my voice trailed off. I got off of Mickey and led him to the trailer, Dallas helped me get him into one of the stalls on the trailer, and then he shut the door-like ramp to the trailer. “Alright, now we can get this hooked onto Buck’s car and we can head off.” I was wide-eyed. “Wh- What do you mean?” He looked at me. “We’re taking them with us, that surprise I said. Well, surprise! I got Buck to buy Mickey so you’ll never have to be away from him ever again.”

I gasped and teared up again. I ran over to Dally and wrapped my arms around him as I started sobbing. “Dallas,” I said through my tears. He chuckled and patted my back. “A-Are you telling me that Mickey is-?” I could barely get my words out, but Dallas seemed to understand what I meant and nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I mean baby. Mickey is all yours now. You just gotta head to Buck’s and then he’ll be there for you whenever you want ‘em.” He said softly. I started to sob even more.

After all these years of finally wanting Mickey as my own, I finally got him. It was all thanks to Dallas, and I would never be able to pay him back. I took out the necklace from my pocket. “I-I wanted to give this to you as a gift but I know it won’t match up to what you gave me,” I said, wiping my tears. Dallas took it gently, smiled softly and then pulled his old pendant out of his pocket. “Thanks, Soda, here you can have this.”

He gave me his old pendant and then put on the new one I gave him. “I don’t care if you don’t give me a gift, I know that you love me a lot either way. That’s all I could ask for. Besides, you are the best thing that could ever happen to me.” Dallas swiped some of my hair out my face and then kissed me softly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned into his touch.

He broke it soon after. “Baby c’mon let’s get to your house.” I nodded and went back to the car. Steve must’ve gotten bored of waiting for us because he was already in the car sleeping. Dallas got the trailer hooked up to the car and then got in and started driving home. I leaned against Dallas for most of the ride home and dozed off.

The next moment when I woke up, I was in the car, which was parked in front of my house. I turned to look at the back of the car. Steve was gone, and so was the trailer. Dallas must’ve dropped off the horses at Buck’s and Steve back at his house while I was asleep. Dallas was shaking my shoulder. “Hey, Soda c’mon. Let’s get you back inside. It’s almost 9 PM.” I only mumbled slightly. I didn’t even have the energy to get up.

I flinched when I felt Dallas pick me up and get me out of the car. He wrapped my arms around him and buried my head in his chest, I didn’t want him to leave yet, and I knew he was going to. I could barely open my eyes because the light bothered me. I heard muffled talking, and I could barely even move. My whole body didn’t wanna function anymore.

Must’ve been Ponyboy talking and then a door squeaking open and shutting. I fell onto my bed, but I guess I didn’t let go of Dallas cause I felt a weight on top of me and then move to my side. “Baby you gotta let go of me, I gotta go.” I heard Dallas say softly. I only mumbled and whined that I didn’t want him to leave yet. He sighed. “If you let go I’ll see what I can do alright?”

I smiled and let go of him, the bed suddenly felt lighter, and I heard a door open. While I was slipping in and out of consciousness, the bed suddenly dipped again. I opened my eyes a little to see Dallas wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. “Pony said he’ll sleep on the couch tonight. I’ll stay over.” He explained to me, and I couldn’t help my grin while I leaned my head on his chest. “That’s all I wanted,” I mumbled softly.

Dallas’ hand gently stroked my hair, and all I felt was comfort. This was one of the best days I’ve ever had. I got to spend time with my amazing boyfriend, my best friend, I got one of my companions back, and it was all on the 5th anniversary. I just wish this could all stay the same forever. I couldn’t stay awake any longer, I could’ve lasted awake despite my sleepy state, but the thing that put me to sleep was Dallas’ comforting touch.

His touch just had the effect of putting me to sleep. I didn’t mind anyways I knew I’d be safe as long as I was in his arms. I love him, and he loves me, and that’s all I need to know when it comes to us being together. “Goodnight Sodapop…” Dallas mumbled. It was the last thing I heard before I fell asleep.