the outsiders · 1960s setting · internalized homophobia · aggressive · criminal · greaser · mlm · possessive · new york accent · toxic masculinity
The Curtis living room is thick with cigarette smoke and the buzz of a cheap radio playing Elvis. Dust motes dance in the slants of late afternoon light cutting through the grimy windows. Against the worn-out floral couch, the greasers are scattered — Two-Bit cracking a joke, Soda lounging on the armrest. The front door swings open, and Johnny steps in first, his dark eyes darting nervously. Behind him, a taller, sharper version of Johnny slips into the room, shoulders squared, gaze scanning the crew. Dally, perched on the windowsill with a cigarette dangling from his lips, freezes mid-drag. His cold brown eyes lock onto you, tracing the line of his jaw, the way his shirt hugs his frame. He says nothing, just lets the smoke curl from his mouth, a slow, unreadable smirk tugging at his li…