This took like nine years but it’s okay
Steve angst and Stevepop comfort!
The gang always had problems with their parents.
Two-Bit’s father ran out on him never to be seen again, Dally’s parents don't care about him and not even around, Johnny’s parents hate him and beat him so much he doesn’t even wince when he’s belted. And the Curtis’, Darrel, Sodapop, and Ponyboy, they had good parents actually, had as if they're not alive anymore.
Steve had problems too. His mother wasn’t really around, she was when he was younger. Had many memories with her when he was a kid. But her leaving the house turned from days to weeks, then to months, to never coming back. He cried that night. But that was long ago, Steve doesn’t care anymore.
What he does care about though, is his father. But not in a loving way, in a hateful way. He cares if he’s around because then Steve will have insults thrown at him and possibly kicked out. Steve hated his father with all his might, which might be why he likes fights. He gets to spill all his hate on someone.
His father wasn’t a drunk but when he did get drunk he wasn’t a fun one like Two-Bit. It’s not that Steve would get beat like how Johnny does, maybe he got slapped once or twice. But his father would yell and yell and insult but it’d feel more personal, not like he says it everyday. It hit to heart and it hurt Stev badly, but he would never show that. He wouldn’t give his father the satisfaction that he got to him.
When his father gets enough of Steve for the week he kicks him out, which really pisses Steve off, but he would get money after as an apology. Most of the time Steve saves his money to buy something for his Sodapop, his boyfriend.
They’ve been dating for a few months now and have been buddies ever since grade school. Odd pair you might say, but they’d say a match made in heaven. Steve was good at hiding around his father, but everyone in the gang knew, and they didn’t really care. Ponyboy said it was obvious.
Whenever Steve got kicked out he’d sleep at the Curtis' house, mostly because Soda was there if there wasn’t a fight he would rant to Soda about it. It was what he did when he and Evie were dating, his ex-girlfriend. The breakup wasn’t that bad, it was just that they were losing feelings for each other. But they were good about being friends so they are.
It was a Tuesday, and Steve didn’t have work that day. Instead, he stayed mostly inside. Around 3:30 p.m. he walked around Tulsa for a bit and ended up at the DX to check on his boyfriend, who was working.
Soda heard the bell ding, it always does when the door gets open. He prepared his normal introduction as he started to look up, “Hey! Welcome to the DX tell me if you need anything—” he saw it was Steve. Soda leaned on the counter, elbows hitting the cold surface. “Hi Stevie!”
Steve smiled, “Hey Sodapop. How’s work?” He took a step forward to the counter.
Soda frowned, “Boring as hell, it’s the same. Buncha girls come in flirting and then there’s always at least one snob of a guy that comes also.” Soda tapped his fingers as he thought about what else happened. “Oh! Dally and Two-Bit came in, Dally wanted to buy another pack of cigarettes and Two came along because he had nothing else to do. He was gonna swipe a pack of gum but I caught him anyway. Y’know it isn’t worth much but I'm supposed to stop him so,” he shrugged and stopped his sentence. “How’s your day?”
Steve shrugged, “Didn’t do much. The old man hasn’t hollered at me much today, only because he wasn’t home that much, probably drinking.” He leaned on the counter also, hands hitting the cold surface of the counter, this made Soda have to look up at him since he was still on his elbows. “Wanted to come by here to see what you were doin’.”
“Aww you thought about me?” Sodapop smiled in response.
“I had to, thought maybe you’d overheat in this weather.” It was hot outside, Steve didn’t know the exact degree but it was hot enough where if you were outside for more than 20 minutes you might feel a little sweaty. Therefore it was probably in the low 80’s. “But y’know maybe I did for other reasons also.”
“Maybe you’d find out in bed” Steve grinned, Soda’s ears pinked. It was normal for them to say suggestive jokes to each other, even when they were friends. But sometimes it caught Soda off guard, it did this time.
“Oh shut up,” Sodapop looked away.
Steve only let out a small laugh in response, “alright, ima go,” Soda took his elbows off of the counter, Steve taking off his hands. They were leveled now. “play poker when you get off?”
“Sure. Just don’t get mad when you owe me 50 bucks at the end,” he smirked.
Steve gave a quick kiss on Soda’s cheek after he made sure no one was around. Then he strolled off, “Bye Stevie!” Soda yelled toward Steve as the door opened and the bell dinged immediately after.
Nothing interesting happened during the walk home, only some Socs stilling by yelling “greaser!” Steve didn’t care though.
When he got to the doorsteps of his house he looked around, seeing if anyone was close and was a threat, but no one was. Just bypassers minding their own business. He turned back around, knocking three times on the while screen door. No one answered.
He knocked again just in case. No one answered.
Steve came to the conclusion either his father was still away drinking or he was back was napping. Either way, it meant he was not gonna be called a lazy ass anytime soon and that was what he cared about.
He took his gold key out of his pocket, inserting it into the keyhole and opening the door. He closed the door after he stepped inside.
Steve was somewhat thirsty, therefore he made his way into the kitchen for a glass of water. He checked the time on the clock. It was 4:07 pm now.
After he drank his water he put the glass in the sink, he didn’t want to wash the dishes right now.
As he started walking to his room he heard the door make a chrk sound, signaling it was opening.
“Steve FUCKING Randle!” His father shouted as he slammed the door closed, he was mad Steve could tell. His father marched his way over to Steve as he backed up and leaned on the counter.
Steve was sure he was drunk, he seemed like he wasn’t, just very hacked off. Therefore, he prepared for the usual insults.
“What? Gonna call me a lazy ass again? What the fuck did I do this time?” Steve shouted back.
“You stupid shit! You do nothing ‘round here and what do I hear—?” What was he on about? Steve thought. What could he have possibly done—
“You’re kissing boys now? You fucking queer.” His father snarled, towering over Steve.
He didn’t know if he looked as distraught as he felt, How did he find out? Steve’s heart raced as he looked at his father with fearful eyes. The only reason he didn’t tell his dad about him dating Soda was because he knew his father full heartedly hated people who were gay. Part of the problem. It was never a problem for Steve since he didn’t talk about it much now, now that he knows, what is going to happen now? Steve didn’t now, and that was the problem.
“…what?” His shaky voice replied, he didn’t know if he was gonna get kicked out forever, get slapped, or something else. He didn’t know and was scared.
His father pressed a finger on Steve’s chest, “of course you’re one of the f—” he blocked out that last word, he knew what it was as his father spat at him.
“You’re useless, you do nothing, you’re a queer disgusting freak. People like you shouldn’t be on this planet ya hear me?” His monster of a father yelled.
“Ya HEAR me?” His father spat out again.
“Good. You have to learn that you’re the weird shit that you are. Now get the FUCK out of my house or you’ll be dead by tomorrow morning. And if you fucking come back you’ll pay for the awfully disgusting sin of yours.” His father pointed to the door, and a panicked scared Steve ran out the door.
Steve gulped, he didn’t know if he wanted to come back to that house ever. It wasn’t like his father wasn’t kicking him out for good, he could come back. But he didn’t know what that last sentence meant, …pay for the awfully disgusting sin of yours… played in his head as he stood and processed what he could do.
Well he knew right now he could crash at the Curtis' house, they’re always welcoming to let one of the gang stay the night. So he could go there, but what about everyday. Maybe he would come back and have to deal with it, but that was his last resort. Maybe he could crash in Buck Merrill’s sometimes or at Two-Bit’s house, his mom lets him sometimes when he gets kicked out weekly.
He didn’t want to think about that now. He didn’t want to think about the long term, he just needed to crash somewhere for the night and it’d be tomorrow’s problem.
Therefore, like already said, he can crash the Curtis’.
It wasn’t a far walk, ten minutes if you walked. Instead he ran, he didn’t feel safe anywhere near his house and wanted to get away as fast as possible.
He desperately wanted a cigarette, but he smoked his last pack. He probably should’ve bought more when he visited the DX. But now was not the time, he got to the Curtis house and he desperately wanted inside.
The door was always unlocked and usually he would open it softly but instead he slammed opened it and raced inside.
Usually Dally or Two-Bit did that, so when Ponyboy looked up from his book as he was on the couch he was expecting them, instead he was met with a very distraught Steve.
Steve met his eyes also, he looked as panicked as he felt, wild-eyed and breathing heavily as his heart slowed down from running.
“Where’s Soda?” Steve finally opened his mouth.
Ponyboy was worried and confused, he might’ve not liked Steve well but he still tolerated him, and besides, he’s a part of the gang. “He’s not here yet, in a bit he might.”
Great. He can’t be with the one person he loved, so he has to wait. Whatever it didn’t matter, he was safe for now.
“Do you have a cancer stick?” Steve asked, Pony nodded and reached for his pocket, giving Steve one. He immediately lit it and sat on the couch. He tapped his foot anxiously, Pony noticed.
“Are you okay?” Pony quietly asked, Steve did not answer. He didn’t want to talk about it with someone he barely even liked.
They sat quietly, Darry came down the stairs, he heard the talking. “Hey Steve, what do you need?” Darry greeted and asked, Steve did not answer immediately.
After a few moments he spoke, “I want to talk to Soda first.” He wasn’t looking directly to Darry, staring at the coffee table instead. Steve wanted to hear he was gonna be okay by his boyfriend before anyone else.
Darry glanced to Pony, Pony looked at him.
“What happened?” Darry mouthed, Pony shrugged. Darry was curious and worried but he wanted to respect Steve’s answer. “Okay. Just tell us if you need anything.” Darry went back up the stairs.
Time ticked by silently, Pony read as Steve contemplated his conversation, well more like yelling at him, and what to do. Steve would admit, he was scared, terrified even. What the fuck his father meant and what the fuck is he gonna do now?
Around 5:15 the door opened, and came Sodapop . He called out “any mail?” Before he saw Steve.
“Hey Steve!” Sodapop cheered, Steve looked up, still looking panicked. “Steve…are you good?”
Steve put out his cigarette and put it onto the ashtray on the coffee table. He ran up to Soda and hugged him tightly. This was a surprise to him, since Steve was never really touchy.
“He came in not too long ago, asked where you were and..yeah.” Pony answered before Steve did.
Ponyboy shrugged but Steve said, “Yeah. Can we go for a walk or just outside?” it was muffled but Soda heard anyway.
“Yeah we can go on a walk.” Soda was confused, Steve wasn’t acting like himself and that meant something bad happened. Sodapop theorized it was something about his dad.
Steve let go of Soda, but took him by the wrist and went outside, Sodapop following along.
Soda closed the door behind them, Steve let go of his wrist, and they started walking. Not to any specific place but they went on the route they usually rat to go to the drive in.
“What’s the matter Stevie?” Steve stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked down, holding back some tears. “My dad.”
“Kick you out again?” Even if that was the case Steve never made it that big of a deal before.
“Yeah but…it wasn’t just that. He…I don’t know how but—he learned I was dating you or something and he called me a freak and disgusting,” Steve let out a breath, “called me a queer and useless and called me the slur,” Steve let a few held back tears, “kicked me out for the day but told me I’m gonna a pay for my sins if I ever come back.”
Soda was shocked and appalled. Yes he knew Steve’s father was very against queer people but he didn’t know he was like that. “Oh…” Soda wrapped an arm around Steve.
“I’m scared Sodapop, in a way I haven’t before. Where am I gonna sleep?” Steve’s cracked voice muttered.
“You can sleep at my house, Darry won’t mind.”
“Nah but I couldn’t every night now could I?”
“Well at least tonight you can.” Sodapop softly smiled and held Steve’s hand for a moment.
Steve stopped walking for a moment, and pulled Soda into a hug, silently crying into his shoulder. “Thank you Soda,” he whispered in a puddle of tears.
Sodapop hugged him tighter, “‘Course. This is what I do. I love you Stevie.”
“I love you too.” He sniffled in response.
Sodapop let go, “Do you wanna head back?”
Steve took a breath, “yeah I guess so.”
Soda didn’t let go of Steve’s hand as they headed back.
Sodapop opened the door, he stepped inside and was followed by Steve. Darry was in the living room this time, most likely Pony was doing homework in the room Pony and Sodapop shared.
“Can Steve sleep here tonight?” Sodapop asked politely. Darry nodded in response.
“Just don’t sleep in the same bed, I don’t want ya—”
“WE ARE NOT GONNA FUCK IN THE SAME BED I SLEEP IN WITH PONYBOY” Soda yelled and stammared, his ears reddening.
Darry grinned his rare grins, “I know you won’t. But he can sleep on the couch in your old room again.” Whenever they had someone sleeping the night, whether Johnny if he didn’t want to go back home, Dally if he needed to hide, Two for no reason, or maybe even Tim Shepard that one time, they slept in Soda’s old room. Sodapop only sleeps with Ponyboy now because he used to have terrible nightmares Pony wouldn’t ever remember. Sleeping with Soda helped it stop, he rarely gets them now.
When Steve heard the word “sleep” he realized he was drowning in exhaustion, a lot of stuff happened in a short amount of time.
“‘M take a nap.” Is all he muttered as he went up the stairs to Soda’s old room.
As Darry and Sodapop both heard the door open and closed Darry asked, “What happened to him?”
Soda frowned, he didn’t want to go into details of the whole and just summarized it to—
“His dad found out we were going steady and he started yelling at him and called him a freak and the...er..slur. His father kicked him out today and heartened him if he ever came back. I just want him to sleep for one night here.”
Darry frowned, if they had the money he’d gladly take care of Steve also. But they didn’t. Sodapop knew that also.
“He can sleep here for tonight, maybe tomorrow also, I’ll do most of what I can do.” Darry said, Sodapop was happy.
“Welcome. He’s part of the gang, we look out for each other.” Darry smiled.
Even though it’d be rough, the gang would be there for Steve. Especially Sodapop. He loved him dearly and if he could help him he would, and if he could, beat his fuckass dad. That’s just what he does for love.
Steve might’ve been yelled at because of love, but that wouldn’t stop him from loving.
