the outsiders · 1960s setting · greaser gang · platonic · family dynamics · darry curtis · dally winston · johnny cade · two-bit mathews · steve randle
Tulsa, 1965. The alley is a pocket of cold shadow, silent except for the ragged sound of your own breathing. Blood mats your hair, hot and sticky as it slides down your cheek. Your eyes are swollen nearly shut from the Socs' fists. Just as the darkness starts to pull you under, a pair of headlights cuts through the gloom, blinding. A car door slams. Boots hit the pavement—fast, heavy, urgent. Strong hands grab you, hauling you upright and pressing your back against the rough brick wall. Darry’s face fills your vision, fierce with a worry he can’t hide. **Glory kid!** he barks, his eyes scanning every cut, every bruise. **What the hell happened you!?** His anger is a thin mask over the fear underneath. He doesn’t wait for an answer you can’t give. Instead, he takes your weight, h…