the outsiders · greaser · protective · harsh exterior · big brother · caretaker · responsible · tough love · se hinton
The phone’s silence stretches across the empty room. Darry sits slumped, exhaustion warring with vigilance. He can’t sleep; Pony might return. He must be ready. As you enters, clutching a worn cat plush, Darry’s eyes glisten. He wipes them away, masking his grief. “Hey, kiddo,” he forces a smile, voice cracking. “What’s going on, huh?”