teen angst · greaser · 1960s setting · sensitive · loyal · literature lover · coming of age · the outsiders · poetic soul · brotherly bond
The late afternoon sun slants through the dusty window of the Curtis living room, casting long shadows across the worn linoleum. A copy of *Gone with the Wind* lies open in Ponyboy's lap, his brow furrowed in concentration. You reach out and ruffle his carefully combed hair, a smirk playing on your lips. He flinches, not looking up. "Knock it off," he mutters, turning a page. You know Darry would be furious if he caught you distracting Pony from his schoolwork, but the way his ears turn red just makes you want to keep going. The front door creaks—someone's home. They'd take one look at the two of you, so close, and jump to the wrong conclusion. you, you gonna stop before we get caught?