𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒. ( 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘺 )

settling in

Ponyboy makes his way inside, Steve behind him carrying his suitcase. The brunette insisted despite Ponyboy's protests.

Almost immediately, Ponyboy was tackled into a hug from none other than Soda. The force nearly brought him to the ground. He wraps his arms around Soda tightly, tugging him as close as he could. Soda was one of the people he had missed the most.

"You're home!" Soda cries loudly, laughing. "It's been forever since I've seen your face! Let me look at you!"

Ponyboy pulls away and the blonde cups his cheeks in his hands, squishing his cheeks. The redhead giggles, letting Soda have his moment to baby him. He'd never get away from his older brothers doing this. Soda more than Darry.

"I saw you in the summertime," Ponyboy teases. "It's been about two months."

"Far too long," Soda pouts, pulling his hands away. "It's weird not being able to see you everyday. Or even once a week because you're all the way in California doing smart people stuff."

Ponyboy had gotten himself a scholarship to UCLA for his writings. The redhead had been so excited about being able to go to a school that wasn't in Oklahoma. Everyone he knew was supportive of it. It was another level of education that they'd never reach. Not that all of them wanted to.

"Well now I'm here until January, Soda," Ponyboy responds, the redhead ruffling his hair playfully. "We've got all the time in the world until then."

"Ain't gonna feel like all the time in the world."

Steve couldn't help but snicker from where he stood in the doorway, hand still on the handle of Ponyboy's suitcase. The brunette knew Soda missed Ponyboy a lot. He had that conversation plenty of times. Soda was always worried that Ponyboy liked California so much that he'd move there and never come back.

Even if Ponyboy did, he'd never leave his family.

Family was all too important.

They were all that they had.

"Even when I go back, that doesn't mean I'm staying," Ponyboy says. "California is cool and whatnot... but it ain't home. It ain't you guys."

Darry couldn't help but feel the corners of his lips pull up at hearing Ponyboy say that. He couldn't lie and say that he never thought that Ponyboy would leave them. The younger redhead had so much going for him and he'd understand if he had to move somewhere else to get the best for him. Just as long as he came to visit and they could visit as well.

Darry walks forward and he ruffles Ponyboy's red hair. He loved his baby brother so much more than he knew how to describe. It sometimes didn't feel fair that other people could be so openly loving and affectionate while his own pride kept him at bay. Not all the time, but most. Especially while Ponyboy was growing up.

"Your room is just how you left it the last time," the older brunette says. "Go put your stuff away. Dinner should be ready soon."

Ponyboy nods his head before letting his eyes drag over to Steve who was still looking at him. He had a certain look about him that the redhead didn't quite understand. Steve was hard to read sometimes. But he wasn't the hardest person he's ever had to read. Dallas was first, followed by Darry, and then came Steve.

"Should I take my luggage or are you still helping me, Mr. Volunteer?" Ponyboy asks, giggling.

Steve's face gets hot.

"Mr. Volunteer?" Two-Bit questions from his spot on the couch, a wide grin on his face. "He wouldn't let anyone else volunteer."

"Keith!"

Ponyboy furrows his eyebrows, looking at the rusty-colored haired male on the couch.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that even if everyone else had the day off but him... he still took the day off and insisted he be the one to come get you," Dallas responds, leaning over the back of the couch. "He and Soda literally did rock, paper, scissors."

Johnny nods his head in agreement at Dallas's words. He had a front row seat to that match, Soda whining and pouting as he lost. Steve had the biggest grin on his face he's ever seen. The ravenette had been confused, but he didn't say anything.

"Dallas!"

Ponyboy giggles again and he looks at Steve who was still standing by the door, face bright red with his cheeks puffed out. The redhead thought that he looked... cute. It wasn't the first time he's had that opinion about a boy. Even Steve.

When they were kids, Ponyboy admired Steve a lot, despite his rudeness. He was just easy on the eyes and he looked like he could have been nice if circumstances were different. The redhead never told anyone about that though. Not even Johnny, who he told everything too.

"Well, well, well," the redhead responds teasingly. "You that eager to spend time with me?"

"Awe, hush your mouth," Steve grumbles. "They weren't supposed to say anything."

Ponyboy makes his way toward Steve, a hand playfully moving to pat Steve's cheek. He playfully coos down at the older male. It only made Steve's flushed cheeks worse. The brunette wasn't used to being teased like this.

Steve grumbles something under his breath before pulling his face away, wheeling Ponyboy's luggage to his room. He'd be a laughing stock this whole time now that Two-Bit decided to spill his guts.

The younger redhead watches Steve fondly as he wheels his luggage away. He thought that it was sweet that Steve wanted to be the one to pick him up from the airport. Ponyboy's stomach was fluttering, if he was being honest.

He chews at his lower lip before following Steve to his room. The redhead takes off his backpack and sits it on the bed, watching as the older male lifts his suitcase onto his bed. He giggles to himself.

"What're you laughing at?" Steve mutters.

"Nothing, Stevie," Ponyboy responds. "Besides... I think it's sweet you wanted to see me so bad."

Steve looks at Ponyboy, his grumpy face dissolving into something much gentler. The brunette scuffs the toe of his shoe against the flooring of Ponyboy's room. He thought that the redhead would think he was weird.

"See you at dinner," the brunette responds gently before leaving the room.

There was certainly something different about Steve.

Something that Ponyboy liked a lot.