ponyboy experiencing memory problems, absent-mindedness, and nightmares after the deaths of johnny and dallas completely recontextualizes the first part of the book and how ponyboy introduces himself to the reader. he talks superficially about his looks, about his appearance being that of a greaser (and we subsequently read about exactly how this appearance makes him the victim of a violent attack), but he also tries his best to explain the internal part of himself and how he is affected by the grief and trauma of losing his parents so young. he isn't absent-minded because he's self-centered, and he doesn't forget to call for a ride because he doesn't think, and he doesn't fall asleep in the lot because he doesn't care about darry - he's a kid who is deeply affected by the loss of his parents. we meet him as he's coming out of a movie, something that he uses as a form of escapism; not just the violence he experiences at the hands of socs, but also the deeply solitary experience of trauma and grief that he cannot explain to the reader other than to say that he "lones it". the night he falls asleep in the lot with johnny is put into perspective when ponyboy describes how difficult sleep was for him after the deaths of his parents, how alone he feels in the world, and how much he feels understood by johnny. and often it feels like this complexity of his character is reduced down to ponyboy being a self-centered teen when he's really a young kid who is deeply grieving
(I saw someone ask for this but I couldn't find the post again so I anyone knows who it is let me know)
Type of post: Headcannons
Warnings: None, it's all Swf and fluff
An: Readers age changes depending on character. Also the goth subculture didn't really exist until the 80s, so this is an au set sometime between then and modern day, up to you. (I'm going to include the Shepards and yes that means Angela too.)
The two of you met when you moved in next door, your mother and father were carrying boxes into the house when Darry strode over, introduce himself as your neighbor and offered a helping hand. When you mother found out that he was about your age she of course called you down and introduced you to him. To say he was taken aback by the look was an understatement.
It definitely took him a while to get used to the way you dressed and did your makeup
Questions that came off as a little judgy were asked (but he meant well and didn't realiz how he came off)
He thinks it's kind of weird but he's not one to judge too harshly
Once he gets to know you better he starts to think of it as just how you are
Eventually he asks you out and after a date or two you get together
Sitting through you doing your makeup routine made him have high respect for you
He appreciates the grind and the time it takes
Though if you both have somewhere to be he can get a just a tad bit impatient
If your donāt have somewhere to be heās usually doing chores or something while you finish up
Heās not big into the music but he doesnāt mind some of the slower songs (might twirl you around to them)
Heavier stuff is definitely not his jam but occasionally heās okay with you playing some
If anyone even if its one of the guys or his brothers makes fun of you, well usually you handle it just fine by yourself but still he'll have some choice words for them
If you wear those long flowy selves, he loves to grab the ends of them to gently pull you close
Wear any spikes? He's bumping into them no matter where they are, one way or another he's poking himself on them.
If your the kind of person to dye your hair he's definitely appalled at the state of your bathroom after dyeing
He grows to the love the way you carry yourslef, the way you seem to glide, the gloomy yet beautiful energy you bring, just everything, he grows to love it all
Sodapop Curtis
The first time Soda laid eyes on you was at the DX, you walked in casually, a subtle storm cloud amoung the bright and sunnny atmosphere. Soda was working behind the counter at the time and when you approached, a drink and a snack in hand, he thought he was going crazy. Once confirming you were real he was determined to get your number. So there you were, your items long paid for, Soda flirting like his life depended on it, and I mean how could you resist him?
Definitely called you as soon as he got home l (Darry was concerned for a hot minute due to how fast he moved to do so.)
Asked you out and the spent forever deciding where to take you, not knowing what you would like.
Did you enjoy the things other people did? Or were you looking for something else?
Eventually settled on a double date with Steve and Evie to a game
He was relieved when you seemed to have a great time
After a few more dates, your official
Likes to watch you do your makeup but gets impatient
Must be stopped form poking or kissing your face before the makeup dries and sets
Love playing with his partners hairs so itās a struggle for him if you tease/style your hair
If you wear corsets he likes lacing them for you (places a kiss to the back of your head when heās done)
Loves to twirl you when you wear long and flowly/layered skirts
I actually think you could easily get him into the music
Like play it enough and seem joyed by it, heāll start to love it, maybe not all of it, but a lot of it
I feel like he would like Siouxise and the Banshees, maybe Iām wrong but I just get the feeling
Thinks of you when and if he sees bats or spiders
Will tell you about it later if you werenāt with him when he saw it
Does not take well to people insulting you, like pony said heās got āeyes that can be gentle and sympathetic one moment and blazing with anger the nextā
Will stick up for you no mater what
Overall he just adores you and the way you look,
Your the most beautiful person in the world
With or without the look all done
Thinks youāre a perfect contrast to him in the way you look and he wouldnāt have it any other way
Ponyboy Curtis
It had been along time since Ponyās school had gotten a new student of any kind, so when on a random Monday morning his teacher announced of a new arrival, he was curious. He had all sorts of ideas of what this person might be like but he most certainly wasnāt expecting the haunting presence that was you. When you stepped in the room, makeup, outfit, and hair nothing like heād seen before, he froze. He barely processed the eye roll you gave the teacher as she told you to āmaybe tone it down tomorrow,ā or when you started walking towards the only empty seat, the one next to him. He stared for a long time, not snapping out of it until you made him flinch.
Not the best first impression but he tried to fix it
He awkwardly apologized and introduced himself
You told him how you liked his name, it was original and different
He let the words ālike youā slip out and had to his head away to avoid looking (in his opinion) any stupider, you just chuckled
You got to know each other better through a group project, you spent a lot of time at his house to work on it
He was relived to find you didnāt mind the state or chaos of it
Eventually he asked you out to the movies
He likes to read to you while you do your makeup, depending on the book he can get through a chapter or two
Likes to lay his head in your lap while you do
Collects little things heād think youād like and appreciate
Anything spooky, it reminds him of you
Definitely studied some strange poetry to write some about you
Heād like some of the music and definitely appreciate a lot of the lyrics even if he doesnāt always absolutely adore the beat
I think heād like the āEmpire of The Vampireā album by āParalysed Ageā donāt ask me why, I just have a feeling
And Bauhus, especially āBite my Hip.ā
Will definitely snap back (verbally) at anyone who gives you trouble , even if itās one of the guys
No body insults the people he loves without at least a little retaliation
Likes to trace the patterns of the lace you wear
I think much like Darry heās somehow end up knocking into any spikes you wore
Will ask you about your jewelry, where it came from, does it have a story, etc
One time (and only one time) he let you do his makeup,
He didnāt hate it but heās never doing it again
Over all he loves you, he likes having someone whoās different like him. Heās always felt like an outcast among outcasts and you seem to get that.
Your presence may seem dark and mysterious but for him it lights up his life
Steve Randle
(can you hand the Randle? My bad.)
The two of you met when your vehicle (you chose what) had needed some repairs. You were new to Tulsa and had been told that DX station had employees that were great with repairs and it wasnāt too expensive. It was a calm and sunny day when you strolled in making Steve stop in his tracks and just kind of stares. (Heās got rbf, so much like Pony, not great first impression.) After he came out of it you got a little snappy with cause of the look and he got snappy back.
For a while you two did not like each other, at least you wouldnāt admit you did
You thought he was judgy and rude like most people and he thought you were annoying and bitchy
So when you went to get gas or snacks or anything, the two of you would usually fight
Soda would often tease yāall for sounding like a married couple (heād later be the one to set you two up)
When you did work it out it was by saying what each of you had thought about the other
Neither of you apologized or out right said you were wrong but it was implied and that was good enough
He doesnāt always get you, but he really likes you so he tries
Wonāt usually sit through your makeup routine but if you get close enough heāll occasionally hold you in his lap while you do it
Arms around your waist, back to his chest, head on your shoulder
Likes to pull you in but your belt of waist chains
Like soda if you wear corsets heāll lace them up for you
He acts like itās nothing but places a tender kiss to shoulder every time heās done
Also does boots or heels, heāll either help you slip them on or tie them up for you
Heās a man of action not words
Has definitely smudged your makeup a couple of times to mess with you
If you get genuinely upset he wonāt apologize but he will make it up to you somehow (being extra nice, a gift, a surprise date, something like that)
Heās not big into the music, itās not his stye
But he loves you so every once in a while heāll let you play it
There is one song he really likes, āEnjoy the Silenceā by Depeche Mode (Yes I know thereās a lot of argument on whether their considered goth or not, idc Iām goth and I like their music, so even if it isnāt strictly apart of the genre itās close enough to me.)
He might tease or make fun of you from time to time, but that doesnāt mean anyone else can
He doesnāt really mean it, they do, and he wonāt stand for that
You can absolutely handle yourself but Steve just moves so fast to your defense you hardly need to
He doesnāt always understand you and the pair of you still squabble from time to time, but you make it work
He loves you, oddity and all, he works to understand to better, little by little, and you do the same for him
Two-Bit (Keith) Matthews
It was supposed to be just a normal trip to the grocery store, your parents needed some things and you needed a chance to get to know the area. Your family was new to Tulsa, you had only been there about a week or two and didnāt really know your way around. While looking around to try and figure out what street you were on you crashed head on into the man you would later know as Two-Bit (I know itās corny and cliche I donāt care!) After you both regained control of your senses he offered a helping hand. A cat call like whistle came from him as he took in the sight of you. Just when you wear about to slap him for it he cracked a joke that you couldnāt help but laugh at. Some small talk began and eventually you asked him for directions and both went your separate ways
For the next few weeks the two you just kept running into each other, both figuratively and literally
When it was literally Two-Bit loved to say āwe have to stop meeting like thisā
After about the fifth time the two of you exchanged numbers and a date was arranged
It didnāt take much more than that first date for him to charm you into being with him
Loves to say he bagged the āhottest and toughestā person in town
Enjoys introducing you to all his friends and even random strangers. Yaps about you constantly
The man is smitten, he just thinks your so unbelievably cool
Like Steve he has definitely messed with/up your makeup a few times, but he never means to genuinely upset
Is constantly swiping you jewelry, mostly wrings
If you tease your hair he likes to hover his hand above it and act like heās gonna mess it up, just to get a rise out of you
One time you and his little sister did his makeup like yours, you all got a lot laughs and wonderful time out of it
Oh and thatās another thing, his little sister adores you, sheās dead set on you being her sister in law
In her eyes youāre the most amazing person next to Two-Bit and their mother
One time you gave her one of your necklaces, and she swears it was the best day of her year
I donāt think heād dig the music that much, he prefers good old rock n roll
But itās not that big a deal to him if you play some stuff in the background or in the car
Anything strange makes him think of you in the best way
Loves to call you things like ābattyā āghoulā āhaunted dollā āshadowā anything like that, you canāt help but find it endearing
For all his lighthearted teasing heās not one to let anyone genuinely insult or bother you
Over all he just adores you and does everything to fill your life with laughter and joy.
He may crack a thousand and one jokes but he thinks youāre the coolest person heās ever met and loves you deeply
Dallas (Dally) Winston
It had been a long day and at the end of it you found yourself wondering into Buck Merrillās place. So there you were sitting at the bar, sipping your drink of choice the sound of āhey there pretty girlā was heard next to you. You turned to see white blonde shaggy hair and piercing blue eyes. Names were exchanged and you and Dally soon got to flirting, he hardly seemed phased by the way you were.
Most people might think Dallas would be hardly judgy of those out of the ordinary and to some extent yes
But I think during his time in New York heād seen at least a couple goths and didnāt hate the look (maybe Iām wrong idk)
Dallas isnāt the best with relationships so for a while the two of you were more like āexclusively fooling aroundā with one another
One day he invites you to the drive in with him and from then on he started introducing you as his girl
He isnāt one to sit through you doing your makeup, but once you get closer he might light a cigarette and sit with you for a moment
He likes tugging you in by almost anything, waist chains, belts, necklaces, the end of flowy sleeves,
He doesnāt show it but itās fun for him and he loves it
If your struggling with lacing your corset or shoes heāll let out a groan and help you
Playing it off with āI just didnāt want to hear you whining anymoreā
I think everyone agrees that Dally uses the petname ādollā so I think like Two-Bit he might occasionally call you a āhaunted dollā or more likely his āhaunted dollā but other then that just the usual names
Did actually mess your hair up once, the whacks you gave him were enough to never make him do it again,
Not that heād admit it, but heās a little intimidated by you now
Heās really not into the music, itās not his style at all, he prefers his rock
But on very rare occasions during a late night drive he might let you play something thatās not too much
I think heās like āa rock and a hard placeā by āThe sisters of mercyā but heād never admit that
Dally doesnāt let anyone get away with bothering you, even if youāve already dealt with, heās got some things to say
His love comes through subtle actions with only the occasional peak behind the walls heās built up
And yet there isnāt much doubt in your mind that he cares, in his own way
Johnny Cade
Admiring form a far, thatās what Johnny did for weeks after you arrived at his school. At first he was just intrigued, you were different than anyone heād seen before. But soon he was smitten, to him you were the toughest person heād ever seen, next to Dally that was. You were so unbothered by what everyone else thought. You were witty and smart, always had something to say when insults were thrown your way. You didnāt care about being different, you loved it, you thrived off it. His affection was getting more and more painfully obvious to the gang, they had quietly come up with a plan to set you two up. But before that could happen you stumbled across Johnny one stormy evening in the lot. It was pouring and you were running home with an umbrella in hand when you saw him sitting under a tree. You offered to walk him home but he said he couldnāt go. Well you werenāt gonna let him stay out there, you gently grabbed him and took him home with you
You asked him out first, which made him feel a little lousy but you promised if anyone asked you would tell them if was him
It was a simple date to the drive in and at one point Dallas and Two-Bit came by and bugged you both
He was sorta of embarrassed but when he dropped you off at you house you gave him a kiss on the cheek and said you and and amazing time
Johnny enjoys sitting in silence with the people he likes so he will 100% sit with you while you do your makeup
Once you get closer and he feels safe with you he loves (in private) to be tucked under your long sleeves,
Heāll sit right up against you and trace the patterns of the sleeves if there are any, if not heāll just draw random shapes
He also likes to tug on them to get your attention
If you dye your hair he likes to come over and help you with it
He also likes to go thrifting with you, you help him feel less embarrassed about buying second hand clothing
Heād like the music because you liked the music, it makes happy so heās down to listen to it
I think heād enjoy ethereal wave stuff
He still prefers more main stream stuff and rock but you enjoy it and that brings him joy
If anyone gives you crap they get the dirtiest look know to man from Johnny, even if he doesnāt always say something, which he sometimes does
He loves you dearly. He admires you almost as much as he does Dally, your tuff as nails and morbidly beautiful, in his eyes your perfection
Tim Shepard
(Donāt come for me if this doesnāt feel accurate, the little we get from him in the outsiders and TWTTN isnāt much to go off of and the outsiders show is where we see him most I think so)
Tim was playing a game of pool with Dallas at bucks when you walked in. It was raining out side which added to the dark presence you brought in. You walked over to the bar and ordered a drink. A man approached you, saying something like āwell aināt you fine. Youād be even better without all that makeup on,ā you told him to bug off but he just wouldnāt. So when you loudly read him to filth, Tim couldnāt help but pause his game and watch. When you noticed you gave him a pretty dirty look, he put his hands up in mock surrender and eased up. You eyed him up before shrugging and turning around with a little smirk. Later, after he had finished his game, he would come up to you and talk you into giving him your number
Your first conversation he was very flirtatious but the next time you talk he tones it down a bit
Heās pretty mellow with you, despite his violent and wild tendencies
Youāre not quite sure if the two of you are officially anything but he isnāt messing with anyone else which is good enough
He often comes off as very intimidating so you not being scared and even a little intimidating yourself is nice for him
You donāt take his shit and he doesnāt scare you one bit
If he walks in while youāre doing your makeup heāll often question why you even do it since it takes so long
But deep down you know he likes the look on you
In fact he keeps a picture of you in full makeup and dressed up in his wallet and in his glove box
Definitely not ashamed to be with you, likes to have you on his arm
He often picks up your skirt (not like in exposing way just like up and out) and then watches it fall
Most girls he knows where short or knee length skirts so itās just fun for him
Not a fan of the music, doesnāt really let you play it around him all that often (every once in a blue moon)
Likes to go one walks and hold your
Sometimes you say something odd as fuck and he just stares blankly at you and then shrugs and keeps walking
You strange but heās grown used to it
Does not in any way shape or from let anyone say anything rude to you, will absolutely throw hands with people
Especially if itās someone in his gang, theyāll have hell to pay for bothering you
Your strange and odd, but beautiful and wonderful, he might not always say it but heās glad you have you in his life, oddity and all
Curly Shepherd
Curly was only at school because Tim had forced him and Angela had helped by dragging him there. If she was having to go so was he. He in no way shape or form liked being there, but he was. His little bit of relief was at lunch time, his chance this sneak outā¦.but his dumbass got caught and sent back to the cafeteria. He happened to walk in just as you slugged one of the guys in his gang in the face for giving you trouble. He was a little impressed and couldnāt help but laugh at the dude. He took a good look at you and that was it, he liked what he saw
He never properly asked you out he just kind of started showing up more
Sitting next to you in class and at lunch, if you snuck out heād follow, you didnāt have much option but to make conversation
At one point everyone just assumed you were together and so did he
You realized that when he wanted to introduce you his older brother and his sister, and well you werenāt gonna burst his bubble, you were together
Whether he admits it or not family is important to him and he wants them to like you
Though heās less concerned about there opinions on your looks and oddity and more so whether you can be decent with one another and thereās no grudges or bad blood
He really likes you, and the way you look, he loves goths. (If you donāt agree take a look at him in the TWTTN movie and tell me that man wouldnāt love goths)
1000% impatient while you do your makeup but like I said he loves the result
Is always swiping you new jewelry especially earrings
When youāre putting on your jewelry heāll quietly set down his wring near you and wait for you to put it on a chain and wear it
One time you didnāt just to see what would happen. To say he looked like a kicked puppy was an understatement, though he tried to hide it
Eventually you put it on and kissed his cheek, he huffed and brushed it off
Something in my gut tells me heād help you or at least try to help you tease your hair if you do
He likes the music, he does, change my mind.
I think he particularly likes āThe Scary Bitchesā again argue with me, change my mind, he does
Like Tim heās protective, he isnāt going to let anyone, stranger, friend, greaser, Soc, talk smack, he will beat their ass, if you donāt first
Heās proud to show you off and call you his partner, he likes the look, and he likes that your tuff and unapologetically you
Angela Shepherd
Despite having dragged Curly to school that morning Angela was skipping first period, sitting in the bathroom having a smoke. When a teacher walked in, she was able to hide the cigarette in time but didnāt have a good explanation for what she had been out of class. Thatās where you come in, you stepped out a the stall a forged hall pass in hand. The teacher inspected it before reluctantly nodding and telling you both to hurry up. Sheās impressed and holds you back from leaving to fast, invites you to hang out with her later.
For a while you two are only friends, and then really close friends, and then really really close friends
At one point you canāt deny the way you feel about her and you blurt it out
luckily she feels the same way and itās isnāt long until the two of you are together
Your out of the ordinary and she doesnāt mind, your the best person and companion sheās ever known
In her eyes your beauty is ethereal
She loves to help you do your makeup, and itās great. Having help to get that white base on really cuts your time in half
Besides the makeup you do every day you both like doing full looks on one another in all different style just for fun
You know those pictures where on person is laying down and the other is sitting on them doing their makeup
Thatās you and Angela
She also helps with hair whether it be teasing or dyeing or just styling
Itās not her style but she does like to borrow your jewelry from time to time
You definitely have matching gothic bracelets
Thereās this one long jacket with flowy lace sleeves you have that she loves to steal
Like curly she digs a good amount of the music, itās not her main genre but she enjoys listening to it with you
I think sheād really like āSiouxise and the Bansheesā and āStrawberry Switchbladesā
If someone gives you crap you and her handle together, bouncing off of each otherās wit and sass to read that person to filth
Your a dynamic and beautiful power couple, you work hand and hand side by side
You might not be everyoneās cup of tea but your certainly hers, in her eyes youāre perfect for one another
