Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Darry slams the door, shaking the entire house as he enters in from work. Sodapop startles, he is in the kitchen, his focus on the meal he is making. Now he can’t help but think about what’s wrong with Darry. Darry growls as he sets his work bag down. 

“Everything okay Darry?” Darry turns to him, the ice in his eyes shakes Soda right down to his core. 

“God Dammit Sodapop I just don’t know what to do.” He sits in a chair and places his head in his hands. Soda starts to worry, he’s never seen Darry like this before. 

“Darry, ya gotta talk to me.” Soda pulls a chair out from the kitchen and sits right next to him, placing a hand on his arm. 

“Okay, okay. Jimmy, the big boss guy you know, he said with all the recent hires, they aren’t going to need me for this summer season. I’m out of a job until September.” Soda is shocked. He had always thought that Darry was sort of a big deal at the house roofing company. Apparently, he was just expendable. 

“Now why would they pick those new hires over you?” 

“I don’t know.” Soda made him a plate and set it down in front of him. “My last paycheck comes at the end of the week. I have two weeks after this to get another job before we fall behind.” Soda nods. 

“I’ll pick up more shifts, try to do more.” Darry wants to tell him not to worry, but the extra shifts would be helpful, just until he can get on his feet again. He tries for a smile. 

“Thanks Soda.” They begin to eat. “Where’s Pony?”

“He called in, he’s stayin late at the college, had some extra homework.” Soda said through a mouthful of pasta. 

“He’s a good kid, which is why we shouldn’t tell him.”

“That you got laid off?” Darry nods.

“He has classes and track to worry about. I don’t want him to lose his scholarship because he's worried about me. He doesn’t seem to realize, but college now will help him so much more than any dead-end job he could get here.” Soda nods. 

“I won’t tell him.” 

“Good, because he doesn’t need it.” 

Chapter Text

Darry is still unemployed by the end of the week. He’s called every place in town and even gone into most of the stores on mainstreet to see if they were hiring. Most of them said no, but the others said they could hire him in September, when all the high school workers go back to school. Darry doesn’t need that. So he’s sitting on the couch reading the paper and wallowing in some self-pity when the phone rings. He walks over and picks it. 

“Darry speaking.”

“Darrel, just the man I wanted to speak with.”

“Neal? That you?” 

“Yeah, I was just wondering if you’d want to come to the gym with some of the guys tonight? It’s been a while.” Darry thinks for a moment, he has nothing better to do. He’d want nothing more than to take out his anger on heavy weight lifting equipment. So he agrees.

Later that night he leaves the house with Neal and a couple other guys he knew from high school. Neal is what Darry could have been if his parents hadn’t died. He lives with a couple guys in a small apartment over on the East side. They are all working themselves through the local community college. Full time student and full time worker. He didn’t have to worry about his siblings or anything like that. Neal was off school for the summer. 

As soon as they got to the gym they split off into partners, this way they could spot one another. Neal is under the bench doing some warm up reps. 

“How has school been, Neal?” 

“Good.” Neal says through gritted teeth as he puts up another five reps. “One semester closer to a degree.” Neal finishes and they switch places. “How are your brothers? I haven’t seen them in a while, Pony’s going to college now right?” 

“Yeah, they’re fine. Pony commutes to the university, he got a track scholarship. The season is over, they’re just doing summer stuff now.”

“Is he doing a summer semester?” Darry puts down a few more reps and mumbles a yes.

“Good, he’s a smart kid and a damn good athlete.” They begin to change the weights and start talking about Neal’s family. He had a younger sister that was the same age as Ponyboy, she’s working as a waitress. 

“How's work?” Neal starts up again. “You’re still working at that roofing place, right?” Darry can’t lie. 

“I got laid off. They said they don’t need me for the summer. I don’t know what to do.” He slams the bar down a little harder than he means to. Darry gets up and tries to sheepishly maintain the conversation. “What about you? With school off, are you working a different job?” Neal steadies himself and tries to continue. 

“Well you see I still got that summer gig at Kellerman's resort. I’ve been teaching dancing there for two summers now.” 

“That’s nice.” 

“Say, you know Penny Johnson?” 

“Of course.” Darry had known Penny since third grade. They’d gone to elementary, jr. high, and high school together. They’d always been friends. Even when she started smoking in fifth grade and going out with high school boys in seventh. 

“She works there too, instructing dance.” Darry was almost surprised, she had never been the teaching type. Maybe a bartender or a waitress at a downtown restaurant, flirting with guys twice her age for a better tip, never a dance instructor. “Yeah, we’re driving down together next week.” 

“Give her my love.”

“Course.” 

They finish the workout in mostly silence. Darry’s quiet shame in admitting he was out of a job was more than evident to Neal. They’re walking out to the parking lot, back to Neals run down lemon yellow truck. 

“Hey Darrel, are you still pretty good at gymnastics?” 

“Yeah, why?” Neal was the one who had taught Darry gymnastics. He had picked it up quickly and they both had fun doing it. Darry loved athletic challenges and working on things till they were perfected. Speaking of which, he needed a new challenge. 

“Gymnastics aren’t much different from dancing and Kellerman’s is hiring.” Darry thought for a moment. 

“I can’t dance, let alone teach it.” A nervousness spiked into his stomach. This might be his only option, Darry needed to start bringing money in soon if they wanted to keep up on bills.

“What do you think Penny and I are for?” Neal said. “We leave in a week, I could talk to Mr. Kellerman and get you an interview if you want to come up with us.” 

“I just don’t know-.” Darry started. 

“Darrel, just think about it. Call me tonight and Penny and I could start dance lessons tomorrow morning if you want.” Darry put a hand on the back of his neck, a nervous habit that he had picked up from his dad. 

“I’ll talk to Sodapop and see what he thinks.” Neal clapped his hands together. 

“Perfect, just let me know tonight so I can call Mr. Kellerman. He’s desperate for anyone to help out.” They started the drive home while Neal gushed about how it was going to be a great summer and what kind of things Penny and he would teach Darry. It was making Darry excited about this. The thing that worried him the most was leaving for an entire summer. Would Soda and Pony be able to hold things down while he was gone? Soda was reckless and always looking for something fun. Would he forget about bills and all the adult things if Darry was gone for three months? Pony was forgetful with his head in the clouds, how would he remember to do anything if Darry wasn’t there? Soon they were in front of Darry’s house. 

“Hey Neal,” Darry said as he got out of the truck. “Thanks for everything.” 

“You let me know about that job later tonight. It would be so fun to work with you. You know Penny will be thrilled.” Darry smiled.

“Of course, it’ll be fun, I’ll just have to talk it over a bit. Bye.” He shut the door and entered the house quietly, putting his gym bag away before sitting down at the kitchen table to watch Soda flipping some green pancakes. 

“Oh hey Dar.”

“Hey Soda.” 

“There’s chocolate chips in these.” 

“Great.” Darry takes a deep breath and thinks of how to start. “Soda, I’ve been offered a job.” Soda turns around, his golden face breaking into a smile. 

“That’s great. Of course you’re gonna take it.” 

“Hey, you’ll burn the pancakes.”

“Right.” He turns around and flips the pancake. 

“That’s what I’m worried about, little buddy.” 

“You just have to take it-”

“Of course,” Darry starts with a strained voice. “We are going to talk about it.”

“Yeah.” Soda sets a green pancake down on the plate and pours another batch. 

“My old buddy Neal, the one that taught me how to do gymnastics works at this summer camp. At the summer camp they teach dance. He wants me to be a dance instructor with him.” Soda guffawed at that. 

“You? A dancer?” His golden features twisted into a laugh. 

“Hey, don’t say that. I could do it and you know it.” Soda puts his hands up in fake surrender. 

“I know you could do it, I’m just wonderin’ what all your football buddies are going to think if they find out that tough Darrel Curtis became a dance instructor.” Darry smiles. 

“I’m sure they wouldn’t feel too hot, but that doesn’t matter because if I don’t start bringing in money again we are going to have a lot more things to worry about than making up Pony’s tuition.” Soda finishes the pancakes and sits down, setting a plate of green and purple pancakes in front of both of them. 

“You’re right, I think you should do it.” 

“The camp is nearly fifteen hours away. I’d be gone for three and a half months. Are you sure you and Pony could handle it?” 

“Ponyboy and I would be fine. Besides, it's only three months and I don’t see any jobs popping up any time soon. You gotta do it Dar.” 

“Okay, I’ll call Neal later.” Darrys voice turns low, almost scared or strained. “How are we supposed to tell Ponyboy? He doesn’t even know I lost my job in the first place.” Soda starts to answer when the third brother makes his appearance known. The college textbooks he’s holding in his hands drop onto the floor with a thud. His jaw nearly on the floor with the books, he attempts to formulate a sentence. 

“You lost your job Darry?” Darry lets out a sigh and Soda opens his mouth to speak, most likely to console before Darry puts a hand on his forearm. 

“Kid, I…” He trails off while Ponyboy tries to put two and two together. 

“Darry, you lost your job? And ya didn’t think to tell me?” Darry can tell that Pony is trying to be mature, but the hurt is evident on his face. 

“Yeah, Pony, I didn’t want to tell you because you were doing so good with college and you had that track meet tomorrow. I didn’t want you to worry or think you needed to get a job. I just wanted you to focus.” 

“As nice as all of that is Dar, it still hurts when you keep things from me like that. You even told Soda?” Soda nods, an apology already coming out. 

“Save it Soda. He’s mad at me anyhow.” 

“I’m trying Darry, I’m trying so hard not to fight with you. I’m trying for our sake,” He gestures wildly to Darry and himself. “I’m trying for Soda’s sake, I’m trying so hard. You do make it so hard sometimes.” His face is completely red and he looks about ready to start crying. 

“I know kid-” 

“Stop callin’ me kid! I’m not a kid no more and you need to stop treating me like one!” Darry can understand where he’s coming from but Pony just doesn’t get it. 

“Okay. Ponyboy, the way I see it, I already got a new job so we can just put this whole thing behind us? I’m really sorry and everything, but I didn’t want you to have to worry about it. You are doin’ so good in school and track. I just wanted to keep it that way.” Soda looks from Darry to Ponyboy. Pony is the wildcard now, Soda never really knows how he’ll react. 

“Fine, just promise me you’ll start tellin me stuff?”

“Sure Pony, ‘course.” He breathes out and sits down, his face is less red. 

“You know next time you lose your job.” Soda attempts a joke and laughs at himself while he finishes the pancakes. 

“What is your new job anyhow?” 

“I’m gonna be a dance instructor at a summer camp.” He follows up when Pony shoots a skeptical look at Soda. “Now don’t you start laughing, it’s just for the summer.” 

“Imagine tellin that to all the guys you beat up. ‘Hey, you remember old Darrel Curtis?’ ‘yeah the guy who beat the piss outta you?’ ‘Yeah, well he’s a dance instructor at some summer camp now.’ Imagine!” Ponyboy’s got Soda laughing now. Darry’s laughing a little bit. 

“Hey, hey now, Neal said it isn’t much different from gymnastics.” 

“I’m sure he just told you that to make you feel better. You dig baby?” Soda says the last part in a sing-song voice.

“I didn’t know they had any summer camps around Tulsa anyway.” Pony remarks. 

“They don’t.” Darry tries to say nonchalantly. “The camp is fifteen hours away in Virginia.” Ponyboy stared at him through a mouthful of pancakes. 

“Fifteen hours away and you’re trusting Soda and I to run things? Maybe you have changed.” 

“Hey, don’t get snarky, it’s the only option we have right now.” Though Darry is smiling. 

After dinner, he dials Neal and waits for him to pick up. 

“Apartment 205, Neal speaking.” 

“Hey Neal, it’s Darrel, I’m gonna do it.” 

“Oh shoot. That’s great news! You’re not gonna regret it, I promise!” 

“I better not, I got two kid brothers at home to keep in mind.” 

“Of course, hey tomorrow morning at the rec center?” 

“Sure, I’ll be there.” 

Chapter Text

The next morning:

Darrel swings open the door to the rec center, clad in his workout clothes and good tennis shoes. He was supposed to meet Neal and Penny in the dance room on the top floor of the rec center. He climbed the stairs, thankful that the rec center was only two stories. He heard his friends before he saw either of them. There was loud music playing, followed by a record scratch and a squeal from Penny.

“Darry Curtis!”  Then he’s smiling and she’s throwing her arms around him for a long overdue embrace. He pulls out to get a good look at her. 

“Hey Penny girl, how ya been?”

“Better now that you’re here.” 

“Well you look great.” It was true, she was wearing a skin tight tan colored leotard and a baby pink ballet skirt. Her nails were done up nice and she didn’t look like a hooker. Which is how she insisted on looking in high school. 

“You do too Curtis, I can see that you never lost your nice football muscles.” She said while feeling his bicep and laughing flirtatiously. 

“Okay, that’s enough flirting, it’s time to get to work. We got one week to whip Darrel into shape before he comes to work with us. You can have the fifteen hour car ride to catch up anyhow.” Neal said, his lips drawn in the expression of a pouty five year old. Penny flashes a winning smile and starts to sway as Neal turns up the music. 

“Now Darry, Penny is going to be your partner at the tryout. Just watch us for a minute, then you can step in.” Darry watches them sway to the beat before beginning a simple four step dance routine. He tries to memorize the steps and he reminds himself that he’s doing this for his brothers. After a few minutes, Neal looks at him. 

“Do you think you can do that?” Darry nods eagerly. “Okay, just step in when I step out.” Neal steps out of the dance and Darry starts to sway his way into Penny’s arms. She guides his hands telling him not to get into her dancing space while still not being stiff in the arms or neck. 

“It will feel like you have to remember a lot, but it will get easier as you feel the beat.” He tries to move with the beat and stay on the steps, she was right, it’s difficult. 

“Good.” She coos softly. “Now, for the first bit, just let me lead you.” He does this graciously. She’s patient as he steps on her feet before falling into a slow rhythm. “Pretty soon, you’ll be leading me.” She smiles. 

“Darrel, you really just want to be able to feel the rhythm before we can start anything else. That’s what dancing is all about anyway.” Darry nods as he lets himself slip into the simple beat of the phonograph. 

“Wow, you’re getting it.” As soon as Penny says it, he steps on her foot. “Spoke too soon.” he smiles and apologizes softly. She then starts to guide his hands to spin her. “Just spin me with the beat, try to stay on beat. That’s the key here.” He does and they do it a few more times before moderating into a dip. Then the A-side of the record goes out and they stop. 

“Well that was great.” Neal says. 

“Thanks, am I doing everything okay?”

“Yeah, for right now. We just figured we’d start simple.”

“It’s easy because you’re a quick learner.” Penny cuts in. They continue to pace, feeling the rhythm through the four-step as they converse. 

“We’ll teach you some basic moves, that way you can improvise with me as your partner. Then we can learn the routine that we’ll do for the tryout.” 

“Okay, that sounds great. Learn the course in a week. This is going to be fun.” Penny smiles. She is an easy partner, but through their dance, Darry can feel that she doesn’t like to lead. She likes to be lead, she is fluid and great at improvising while somehow maintaining a look of discipline and technique. Darry hopes to look like that when he dances. 

They work for a few more hours before Neal announces that they’ll come back after dinner and work on something else. It reminds Darry of when he had to do two-a-day’s with football. He goes back to the empty house dripping in sweat and unsatisfied. He fires up one of Soda’s funk records on their beat-up phonograph and starts to practice. Moving his feet in time as he imagines Penny in his arms, his hand on her imaginary waist. Then a saxophone solo strings itself through a chorus and a verse and he imagines how Penny looked when she was improvising. Fluid, but not without technique, she looked completely at ease. So he tries to move his body like that, his eyes closed as he searches for the rhythm within improvising. He was just about to find it when a low whistle and a holler took him out of the mist. 

“You know I thought Soda was lyin’ when he said you were becomin’ a dancer. Guess I owe him fifty cents and a can of coke.” Darry turns to Steve Randle standing in the doorway as Soda yells at him to help with something in the back seat. His curls shine as he whistles low and loud, running back out to the car. 

“Soda! Sody! You was right!” Darry hears him yell. “He’s really gonna be a dancer.” Darry stands in the doorway as he watches them carry up a few bagged groceries. He’s still breathing hard as sweat drips down his forehead. Steve is looking at him weird, about three seconds away from laughing. Soda sets the groceries down and pats him on the shoulder. 

“How ya doin’ Dar-bear?” 

“Shut up.” Darry says through a smile. He begins to help him put the groceries away as Soda tells him about the morning at the DX. They were taking lunch and would be back in the late afternoon. Steve adds things into the stories as he thinks of them. Darry had finished putting the groceries away and was now sitting at the kitchen table, sort of laughing at the dynamic between the two. Soda was sweet, but all over the place, like an excited little puppy. Steve was more like a black cat, he had a dark sense of humor and could be mean if he wanted to be. They balanced each other out in the most comical way. If Darry had been on the fence about the job before, he wasn’t now. He knew for how reckless and carefree Soda seemed, he would take care of the house and Ponyboy. 

Chapter Text

5 days later

It's been five days and Darry has nearly mastered all of the steps. They’d gone to three-a-days. But even then, Darry can’t help but to obsessively practice. He did the same with football, as a perfectionist, he wants to get it right. With Penny, he learns to be fluid and flexible, moving his body with the beat and improvising over his mistakes. With Neal, he learns technique. Neal has been dancing since he was a child. He is disciplined and sure of himself. Darry hopes to be a good combination of the both of them. He even became so obsessive over practicing that Soda took to making fun of him at home. 

That particular morning, they met at a lake near Tulsa. Neal had said something about a lift and the finale of the routine. Darry’s truck pulled up and he stepped out to meet them. 

“Mornin’ Dar.” Penny said as Neal clapped him on the shoulder. 

“Mornin’.” 

“Alright.” Neal said, obviously wanting to get to work. “This is what you’re gonna learn how to do.” Penny steps back and trots into Neal’s arms. He places his hands deftly on her hips, pushing Penny up as her legs twist up and her arms extend out. 

“Darry, you can take your jaw off the floor.” Penny laughs as Darry smiles and claps his hands together. 

“Right before we try it in the water, I want to teach you what to do with your hands.” Penny stands an arms length away as Neal guides his hands. Resting on the curve of her hips. “From this position, you’ll push up.” They get into the water. From there, they work on the technique of pushing her up and holding her there. Neal teaches him how to prevent injury and keep Penny safe. It’s very evident that Penny is completely at ease in his arms and in the air. She knew what to do, this would be much harder if he had to be taught to be lifted. 

“You’ve gotta take the lead on this, Darry.” Penny exclaimed as she flops into the water. “I’m comfortable, don’t worry about me so much. I know what I’m doing.” He nodded and they tried again. This time Neal stops him. 

“Listen, buddy, you gotta brace. Y’know, clench your core, make sure you are a stable foundation for Penny. Also breath before and when she’s in the air. Don’t think of lifting, think of pushing her off the ground.”

“Breath, brace, push.” Darry nods. 

“Exactly.” Then Neal teaches him how to twist his hands to let her down softly. Again, much to his surprise, Penny trusts him completely. Fully letting herself be twisted and moved by him. They’ve been at it for a few hours. Practicing again and again until his arms burn. At one point they dissolve into laughs after a water fight. This might be the first time since his parents died that Darry has felt he has had friends that aren’t his brother's friends.

Pretty soon Darry is to the point where he can do the lift nearly flawlessly in the water. 

“Well, I’m spent.” Penny announces and begins to leave the water. Just then Darry starts to feel the soreness building in his arms and shoulders. 

“Me too.” He admitted. “Still at the studio tonight?” Neal nods. 

“Naturally, you still got a lot of stuff to work on, big buddy.” Then Darry is splashing Neal again.
“Stop calling me big buddy. I’m nearly older than you.” he says through a grin. Neal laughs. 

“Okay big buddy, I mean-.” He’s cut off as Darry splashes him again. 

Then they are out of the water and Darry is setting down a towel in his truck. He sits down, waving goodbye and shifting the truck into first. 

He begins the winding drive through the empty grassy part of Tulsa, the word responsibility is on his mind. How many of them he has now, and how that will dramatically change in Virginia. Of course he’ll send money home, but he won’t be the one responsible for Soda breaking that lamp or Ponyboy eating dinner. It's a strange and foreign feeling for him to entertain. At least he’ll have Penny and Neal, who seemed to have forgotten all the time they weren’t together, picking up right where they left off in high school. Back when Darry’s social life wasn’t limited to outings at the gym and friends of his brothers. Sometimes he thinks he misses it, but then he only feels guilty, because he knows that he really only misses a time without responsibility. Responsibility, what a funny word. 

Later that night, after dinner, they met at the dance studio at the rec center. Neal was attempting to explain more logistics of the lift on land while Penny flashed sideways smiles at him and cracked jokes. 

“Blah, blah, blah. Calm down Neal, he’s strong enough to do it. We did it perfectly in the water anyhow.” 

“I know, but I don’t want him to get hurt, two days before the tryout.” 

“Just show it to me one more time and I think I’ll be okay.” Darry watched as they did it again. In Neal’s arms, Penny floated effortlessly, just as she had in the water with Darry that morning. 

“Okay, just remember,” Neal instructed as they stepped back from each other. “Brace and push to the sky.” Darry nodded. Of course there were others lifts they could do, they’d tried them in the water that morning. But according to both Penny and Neal this particular lift was guaranteed to be memorable and unique. 

“Mr. Kellerman will never forget it, not as long as he lives.” Penny said, almost reading his thoughts. 

“Breath, brace, push.” Neal said and Darry repeated it in his mind. Thinking of all the similar lifts he’d done with Soda, who outweighed Penny by quite a bit. Penny counted off and pranced up to him in the stagelike way. Just as he had in the water, Darry placed his hands on the curve of her hips, bending at the elbows and pushing her up.

“Brace!” Neal reminded him as time slowed down. He could feel her core muscles clench under his sure hands. “Now spin her down.” Neal commanded. He attempted to spin her but his hands fumbled and he nearly dropped her. His heart fell through his chest, but he caught her and set her down gently. Penny began to laugh like a madman. 

“You’re lucky that I’m so phenomenal at dancing. Otherwise we’d both be screwed.” This was a good summary of Penny, Darry reflected. She only laughed in the face of the difficulties thrown at her. 

“I’m so sorry Penny. I must have forgotten to flip my hands.” She grabbed his shoulder. 

“It’s alright, make it up to me with this dance?” she grinned and Neal turned on the signature song they’d be dancing to for their audition. 

“Of course Penny girl.” She took his hand and grinned as they began the routine. He tried to match her fluidity as Neal barked orders at him. Though it was annoying, Darry appreciated it. It’s a wonder what five days and endless hours of over obsessive practice can do. Even Penny seemed surprised by his improvement. 

“Elbows up, keep it loose Darrel.” Neal barked, swaying to the music a bit himself. Then he twirled her out and broke for the lift. 

Breath, brace, push. 

He let out a breath as Penny ran toward him. He braced his core, making a firm foundation as he pushed her into the air. Holding her there as time stood still. Then came the tricky part, he spun her down with his hands, grinning at his success. Penny laughing in glee as they finished out the number, even taking a bow. Then she yelped with happiness and pulled him in for a hug. 

“We did it! We did it!” Darry couldn’t help but smile.

“Yeah we did it Penny girl!” They hugged again and agreed to call it quits for the night, the lake that morning had tired them out profusely. Penny needed a ride home so she climbed into the truck with Darry. 

“Have you started packing yet?” Penny asked. 

“No.” Darry answered truthfully. 

“Oh, you’re probably torn about leaving your brothers.” 

“Yeah.” Darry nodded. “But I think it will be good for ‘em to go without me for a bit.” 

“Sure.” She nodded. 

“Are you packed Penny?” 

“I have been. I can’t wait to leave Tulsa and my father behind. Summer is the only time I get to do that.” Guilt spiked in Darry's stomach as he reflected on his thoughts of her wanting to be a dance instructor instead of a waitress or a bartender. Of course she’d want to get away from an awful father who gave her black eyes instead of kisses. 

“I’m glad you found something Penny. I’m sorry about your dad. Nobody deserves that, especially not someone as amazing and talented as you.” 

“Aw Darry, thanks.” They pulled up to her house. Just around the corner from him, in the same awful neighborhood. She opened the car door and turned to get out. 

“Hey Penny, just so you know, you’ll always have a place at the Curtis’s if things get bad.” She flashed a smile. 

“Thanks Dar, you know what? I’m really glad it’s you.” 

Chapter Text

On the morning he’s supposed to leave, Soda makes three chocolate cakes for the drive. Darry knows that they won’t end up getting eaten, all of the dancers were cutting for a few days before, not to appear bad for the audition. Darry slaps Soda on the shoulder. 

“Thanks little buddy. I appreciate the hard work, even if you left the whole kitchen a mess.” 

“Don’t worry, Ponyboy will clean it up.” Soda says. 

“I will not!” Pony exclaims from the living room. Soon the front door opens and the house is alive with Penny’s excited Aura. 

“Ponyboy!” Her sweet voice rings out. “Damn, you’ve grown.” She kisses him on the cheek before pulling him into an embrace. Then Soda comes into the living room with the cakes. 

“Soda, baby!” She pulls him in for a hug. 

“Darry, you need to let Penny come over more often.” Soda flashes an award winning smile. 

“Yeah Darry, me an’ Soda could have a sleepover and paint each others nails!” They both laugh. 

“You know I like ‘em pink Penny.” 

“Alright, enough you two.” Darry says through a smile. “Soda, help me get my bags.” Bags is a bit of an exaggeration. Darry has a beat-up duffle bag and a garbage bag of sheets, a blanket, and a pillow. He throws them in the back of Neal's truck, turning back to his family. Soda is still wild eyed and smiling. Pony is picking at a scab on his arm. Darry turns to Soda. 

“Now don’t you go burnin’ the house down while I’m gone.” He says. 

“I’ll try Dar.” Soda says as he pulls him into a hug. Then he turns to Pony, whose eyes are on the floor. 

“Now Pone, if you need anything don’t hesitate to-.” It’s all he can get out before Pony pulls him into a soul crushing hug. He realizes the kid is crying, this definitely isn’t the reaction he expected. 

“I’ll just be a phone call away kid.” Pony pulls away, wiping his nose on the back of his hand. 

“I still don’t like you callin’ me kid.” Darry laughs.

“Well you are my kid brother.” Pony smiles and then all three of the brothers are wrapped in an embrace. It’s perfect, if for a moment. 

“I’ll miss you guys.” Darry says pulling away and inching towards the truck. 

“Miss you too!” They holler back as the truck drives away. 

Four hours into the car ride, Penny grows tired of the radio, rolling the window down an inch and lighting a cigarette. 

“Your brothers are great kids.” She takes a drag. Darry looks up from his book. 

“I know, poor Pony was cryin’ when I left. Didn’t know he’d miss me that much.” 

“Serious?” Neal exclaims. “The kid adores you. It’s obvious he’s grown up quite a bit.” Darry starts to think back on all the times when Pony came to him for advice about school or girls or just general things that he didn’t go to Soda for anymore. There were still a lot of things he went to Soda for but he’d been coming to Darry more for bigger issues. Darry missed it when Pony let him be protective. It used to be holding his hand during thunderstorms or fighting kids who bullied him. Now things were complicated, he’d been at a loss since the incident with Johnny and Dallas. He didn’t know how to protect him from anything anymore. For all Darry knew, the distance could bring them closer together. It could work. 

“I gotta take a piss.” Neal said as he pulled off to a rest stop. He ran into the bathroom yelling at them to get out and stretch their legs. They were in the countryside, there was no one around for miles. Soon Penny started humming a melody. Darry took her hands and began to dance her around like a showpony. Neal came out of the bathroom, took one look at them and swore. 

“Never thought I’d see the day..” He muttered as he walked back to the car. Their drive was nearly halfway over. Darry had mostly read his book or run through the dance steps in his mind. There was no way in hell he was going to mess this up. 

He got in the front seat so Neal could lie stretched out in the back seat, dozing with a baseball cap over his eyes. Penny was antsy, smoking a cigarette, flipping through a magazine she’d already read top to bottom. 

“Don’t start a fire.” Darry scolded jokingly. 

“I would never.” She said, her voice dripping with attitude. There was a comfortable familiar silence between them. They knew each other completely. 

“Y’know Darry, you could change your name.” He almost took his eyes off the road to gape at her ridiculous statement before she clarified. “Get a stage name.” Her voice turns low. “It helps when a client wants more than just dance lessons. It makes it so they can’t find you when the summer is over.” Darrys stomach turns at the thought of how she found this out. 

“Sure.” He nods. 

“Mine is Penny Johnson and I’m from California.” She says it almost flirtatiously. 

“Smart Penny, I’ll think of something.” 

“You want to sound mysterious.” 

“I don’t know about you, but Johnson doesn’t scream too mysterious to me.” 

“I wanted to sound plain after my first year.” She visibly shivers, obviously remembering something less than pleasant. “For boys it’s different. How about Castle? Darry Castle?” Darry almost liked it, something was off though. 

“Yeah, it sounds okay for now.” He smiles and keeps his eyes on the road as Penny keeps talking about nothing. 

That night they hoe down in a trashy motel. Neal says it’s all Kellerman can spare. He legally can’t board them before the try-out and he’s not into wasting very much money on possible workers. Neal and Darry give Penny the bed, sitting out by the pool while she showers and changes for the night. They stare at the water. 

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Neal asks. 

“Yes, we’ll be fine. Are you and Kathleen ready?” Neal nods. 

“We talked through it on the phone. We’ll put it together tomorrow like we do every summer.” 

“Good.” Darry isn’t nervous. He has never gotten nervous before football games or performances in church. The only times he can remember being nervous was when he had to give the eulogy at his parents funeral and when they had to do the court case when Johnny killed that Soc. He was nervous they were going to take Ponyboy and Soda away from him. That he would be all alone. 

Pony wasn’t like this. Darry can remember Ponyboy throwing up before several high pressure track meets. It was funny, he would throw up, nearly having a mental breakdown from the stress and then he would go and get a PR. Every time. Darry never knew how to help, he had always figured if you knew your stuff and were prepared, then you had nothing to be nervous about. 

As far as Darry knew, Soda had never been nervous in his life. Stress never seemed to affect him at all. He’d worry over something for a week and if he couldn’t fix it, he’d move on. 

Soon, Penny was out by the water, smiling as she dipped her toes in the water. 

“Darrel, remember twenty years ago when we did lifts in the lake?” Leave it to Penny to say something like that. “Back when you weren’t a professional dancer?” Darry laughed and stood up, stepping to her. 

“Do you trust me Penny girl?” 

“Always.” her eyes dazzled as she melted into his arms. He began to spin her around the water, soft and slow. Dancing to their own melody. Then he pulled away, planted a kiss on the crown of her head and set off for the night.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Darry awoke to Neal on the phone with Kathleen. He was shirtless and smoke curled from the cigarette in his fingers. His eyes were closed as he mentally went through the dance. 

Darry dressed in simple sweats and a T-shirt. Neal said if he got the job he’d be provided a suitable wardrobe. Once Penny was up they each ate a banana, checked out of the motel and started the mental preparation for the dance. Penny was wearing a flowy blue skirt and tight white shirt. She’s using the car drive to put on makeup, softly humming the song they’ll be dancing to. Darry can’t help but stare out at the thick Virginia forest. Nothing like the dry desert of Tulsa. He runs through the steps in his mind. Interrupted, only when they pull up to the entrance to the camp. His eyes gape as he takes in the twenties style architecture. The camp is a lot nicer than he imagined. The paved road turns to gravel as they pull up to the staff parking. They get out and Penny stretches her legs, smiling as she watches Darry’s eyes on the guest housing. 

“Our rooms won’t be that nice.” She says. 

“Well if they’re anything like 'em’ that’s just fine.” 

“They’re not.” Neal confirms, striking a match on his shoe for a cigarette. He takes a drag and passes it to Penny. “Our last one. Mr. Kellerman doesn’t allow smoking.” Darry couldn’t help but agree, he’d never found smoking appealing, even to look tough. He knew he looked tough, he didn’t need a cancer stick to tell him. It had taken him a while to realize, but he now knew why Pony liked them so much. Pony got nervous, the cigarettes had helped to settle him, if by a little bit. Then Penny stubbed it out and they started up the hill. They entered a giant dance hall. It smelled old and giant stairs cascaded over the main gym. There were already two dancers, performing together. Darry craned his head to get a better look as Neal found out what times their auditions were. He and Penny had an hour before, Neal and Kathleen had just thirty minutes. They met Kathleen in the clearing by the lake. Penny and Darry sit under a tree while the two of them work out the dance they’d talked over on the phone. They were graceful together, at ease with each other. It seemed as though they’d danced together a lot longer than two years. Then Penny’s hand was on his shoulder. 

“Don’t worry, we’ll get there too. You’re a quick learner.” 

“Course Penny, besides we have a long history.” She smiled like honey.
“Sweet of you to say.” 

“Should we practice our dance?” 

“Naw,” He wavy hair bobbed. “It’s bad luck to practice more than once.” 

“Where’d you hear that?” Darry laughs. 

“Some girl who over-practiced with her partner broke her ankle ten minutes before her audition.” Darry goes with it, not wanting to mess up the obvious routine that Penny and Neal had for audition day. It had to go flawlessly. So Darry sits content, soaking in the sun and Penny’s presence. He forgot how much he liked being around her. 

“I’m surprised you haven’t called your brothers yet.” She said, laying her head on his lap. He smiled gently, running a hand through her hair. 

“Maybe I’m trying to delay the news about the house being burned down.” She smiled and they stayed like that for a while, the silence easy between them. Neal and Kathleen came over. 

“We’re ready now, you guys want to come watch?” 

“Of course.” Darry helped Penny to her feet and they started towards the dance hall. Once inside and seated, they watched Neal and Kathleen start a song and begin the dance. They glided across the floor smiling in each other's arms. ‘

“They are great together.” Penny sighs and Darry can’t help but agree. Then they leave to get ready for their dance. They stretch together in the hall and begin their one-time run through. They go slow, finishing off and faking a bow. 

“We are gonna do great.” Penny says and they sit in the hall, continuing to stretch. Neal and Kathleen finished a while ago with flying colors. Penny assures him that they are signing summer contracts in the next room. Soon a smaller man calls them to the dance hall. Penny hands the man the record single then kisses him on the cheek. 

“We’ll do great.” She says softly as they assume the starting position. 

“I have no doubt.” He takes her hand as the music starts. The next minutes pass like a fever dream. The practice and muscle memory takes over, including a quick bit of improvisation from Penny to cover one of his mistakes. Then comes the lift. Brace, breath, push, he tells himself, and he does. He feels her strong core muscles flex under his strong deft hands. The bill of her dress dips over his shoulders. Then he spins her down, staring at her face as she smirks up at him. They finish out their dance as the music cuts off. They take a bow, holding hands. Penny gives his a squeeze. 

“Darrel Curtis?” Comes the voice of what he assumes is Mr. Kellerman. He watches as a plump man makes his way over, hand outstretched. He’s dressed in a pinstriped suit, he’s balding and his teeth are yellow. 

“Yes sir?”

“Darrel, good to meet ya!” He sharks his hand excitedly, the double chin bouncing as he does. “I’ve only heard good things.” 

“Good. Also good to meet you Mr. Kellerman.” 

“Darrel, would you by any chance have been involved with Ponyboy Curtis?” Darry looks on confusedly. 

“He’s my little brother, why?” Mr. Kellerman gets a sudden look of realization on his face. Maybe thinking about if they looked similar. 

“He was the kid involved in the murder of that high school kid?” A hint of fear spikes in Darry’s stomach. Could this keep him from getting his job? 

“Yes sir. It wasn’t his fault, he was just a kid.” 

“I understand, but you might want to consider a stage name so as not to bring bad publicity. A lot of people in the area heard about that.” 

“Do we still have the job?” Darry asks nervously. 

“Of course!” Mr. Kellerman says, slapping him on the back. “You two have a magical chemistry, how could I not take you?” Then he pulls Penny into a tight embrace twirling her around. She cradles the back of his head, laughing as he smiles. 

“We did it!” 

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. In the next room you’ll fill out some paperwork and get your room assignments.” Darry shakes his hand again.

“I promise you won’t regret it.” They move to the next room, linked arm and arm. Kathleen and Neal are waiting for them. 

“We did it!” Penny yells, embracing Kathleen. 

“Congratulations man!” Neal says, clapping him on the back. They talked loudly as they headed up the hill to the staff housing. They were laughing, Penny had an arm shrugged lazily around his waist, things were good. He needed to call his brothers and tell them the news. 

Chapter Text

Darry is standing in the middle of a thread bear room, smaller than the room that Soda and Pony share back home. There is a twin bed, springs popping and a small dresser, wood chipping. He still smiles and sets his things down, starting on making the bed. Soon Neal comes in, watching him for a moment. 

“Nice, huh?” He scoffs. Darry turns to him, grinning a little. 

“Better than ever, at least I don’t have to share a room with a bum like you.” 

“Hey!” Neal gripes. “This bum got you a job!” He then starts to shadow box him, fake punching by his head and arms, laughing a little. Then he stops as Darry starts to put the clothes away. Neal watches him a moment longer. 

“You should see the girls room, they’re a lot nicer.” 

“They ought to be.” Darry says simply. Then he sits on the made bed flipping through a packet he’d gotten after signing his contract. They had a strict dance schedule for the next few weeks. There were quite a few collective dances they needed to learn, as well as partner, solo, and how to teach all of the dances. Two weeks later, the guests would arrive and they’d be given a new schedule. 

“Hey man, Penny said she’d walk you down to the phone to call your brothers. I think she kinds of wanted to talk to ‘em too.” Darry barked a laugh. 

“Sure, they love her too.” 

“I don’t know why.” Neal scoffed as they started across the gravel path to the girls' housing. They walked up the stairs to the small bungalow looking house to find Penny on the porch, her fingers clenched together and her eyes closed tight. 

“You okay Penny girl?” Darry asked. Her eyes flew open and she attempted a smile in the low light. 

“Yeah, just itchin’ for a cigarette.” He didn’t know if he believed her but he didn’t push it. 

“I’m gonna call my brothers, walk me down?” She perked up immediately, nodding as she linked arms with him. They made their way down a different grassier path to the payphone. He pushed some coins in the slot and dialed his home number. The phone was picked up after three rings. 

“Hello?” It was Two-Bit. 

“Hey Two, it’s Darry.” 

“Oh, lookee, lookee, it’s our big dancing superman!” Darry could imagine the scene around Two-Bit just from the sounds in the background. The TV was on, though Darry was sure noone was watching it. Steve and Soda were likely wrestling over a card game while Ponyboy sat on the couch, engrossed in a book or some homework. He was sure Two-Bit had a beer in one hand and the phone in the other. 

“At least I got a job.” Darry scoffed. Then he could hear Two-Bit arguing with someone. He heard something slam and was close to saying something before Pony got on the other line.

“Hey Dar, how’s it goin?” 

“Hey Pony, it’s going great, I passed the audition and I’m just getting settled in.” He could hear a yell from Soda in the background. “How is everyone there? I feel like I’ve been gone a year.” 

“Well, the house is still standing, even though Soda just lost three bucks in a card game.” 

“What a relief, thought it’d be burnt to a crisp with me gone this long.” Darry jokes. “You sure everything’s okay?” 

“Yeah, Darry, stop worrying, besides you’re gonna be a professional dancer by the looks of it.” 

“Yeah, whatever.” He laughs, trying to think of something else to say. Suddenly he knows what Pony would like to hear about. “I do need a stage name. I was thinking you’d have some good ideas. Penny suggested Darry Castle, but I’ll need a first name too.” He didn’t want to bring up the fact that Mr. Kellerman had known who he was. “Any ideas?” He was silent on the line, besides someone yelling in the background. “First thing that comes to mind?”
“Johnny.” He says quiet but sure. 

“Okay, Johnny Castle? I like the sound of that.”
“In his honor.” He whispers, sounding like he's near tears. 

“I know you miss him, Pone. You sure you’re doing okay?” 

“Yeah.” He’s quiet. Soda had told Darry once that Pony thought about Johnny all the time. 

“You’ll be okay, Ponyboy. It gets easier.” 

“Yeah it has. I think he’d get a real kick out of you becoming a dancer though.” Darry can hear the grin in his voice. 

“Yeah, I think he would.” Darry asks him about school and track. Pony tells him he’s doing fine and about that test he was stressed about. Darry feels something turn in his stomach, he feels almost apologetic for going away. Pennys arm is still linked with his. When there is a silent moment between them, she speaks. 

“Hey Ponyboy, how you doin baby?” Darry hands her the phone and they talk for a minute about school, Penny teases him about girls. Then they are so close that Darry can hear the conversation on the other end. Soda is yelling and Darry can imagine a scene of him wrestling the phone away from Ponyboy. 

“I want to talk to Penny!” He screams, the phone picking it up though they sound far away. Then the house is quiet again, Soda’s sweet voice filling the receiver. “Hey Penny.”
“Sodapop baby.” She says in a sing-song voice, all evidence of her previous bad mood gone. “You and Steve ain’t havin a sleepover without me, right?” Soda gasps in mock outrage. 

“We would never. How could we anyhow? Steve forgot the nail polish.” He laughs infectiously, going away from the phone for a second. “Steve, stop! Stop!” He screams between laughs. Then he’s back on the phone as if nothing happened. 

“Soda, you gotta give me the update on you and that Jenkins girl!” Penny smiles into the receiver as Darry leans against the walls of the payphone. He feels completely at ease with her. Soda was right, he needed to bring Penny over more often. 

“I didn’t know you knew about Julie!” Soda sounds excited. 

“I’m just glad Soda has someone to girltalk with now.” Darry grumbles as Penny laughs and repeats it into the receiver, earning a laugh from the guys and Penny. They talk for a bit more about Julie Jenkins as Soda and Penny plan the perfect date. Darry zones out before Penny hands him the receiver. 

“Soda wants to talk to you.” She smiles as he takes the phone, laying her head on his shoulder.
“Hey Pepsi-Cola, what's up?” 

“I wasn’t kiddin when I said you needed to bring Penny around more Dar.” Darry laughs as Soda asks about some real life stuff, bills and things. Their conversation is cut short by Soda yelling. 

“Okay, goodnight Pone, I’ll be up in a minute.” 

“Tell him I said goodnight too.” Darry says and he does. After a minute Darry speaks again, quietly. “He wanted my stage name to be Johnny.”
“Are you gonna do it?” 

“Of course. Just make sure he’s doing okay Soda. You know how he gets.” Even though it had been nearly four years since Johnny's death, Pony still tended to get sad about it in spurts. As a lot of people do. Darry understood, it had been hard for him, Johnny was his best friend. Dally’s death too. 

“Do you think he’s getting sad about it again?” Soda asked, a small tremble in his voice.
“He might be, just make sure he's okay. You’re always good at that stuff.” 

“Yeah, thanks Dar. We miss you.” 

“I miss you guys too, don’t worry I’ll get some money coming in soon.” 

“I wasn’t worried.” Darry can hear the smile in his voice. “Is Penny still there?” 

“She never left.” 

“Goodnight Penny, goodnight Darry, miss you guys and love you guys.” 

“Goodnight Soda.” Penny says softly. 

“Goodnight Soda. Miss you guys, tell Pony I love him.” 

“I will.” And with that the line went dead. 

“Man, I wish I had brothers like yours.” Penny said. 

“You do.” Darry says quietly, arm draped lazily around her waist as they start back up to the girls' housing. “Hell, Soda already treats you like an older sister.” She laughs, a great sound, they are quiet for a moment, arms around each other, walking. 

“Penny, you can tell me anything, if you ever have a problem, just tell me.” She turns to face him as they stop on the stairs of her bungalow. She grabs his hand looking him in the eyes. 

“I know Darry.” Then she kisses him on the cheek and heads into her bungalow.

Chapter Text

The next morning is chaotic as dancers fly in and out of rooms getting ready for rehearsal. Darry gets ready as Neal pounds on his door waltzing in, unbothered by the fact that Darry is still pulling up his pants. 

“Got you a bagel.” Neal says without so much as a glance. Darry pulls a shirt over his head and snatches the bagel. 

“What are we going to do today?” Darry asks. “What should I expect?” 

“Kellerman will probably start the meeting with a lecture, then he’ll leave and the senior dance instructors will come in and teach us the dances we’ll do together. You’ll usually be given a set of cards with individual dances to learn with your partner. Penny will have you covered.” Darry nods slowly, swallowing a bite. 

“What all is in Kellerman’s lecture?” 

“Nothing much, just not to leave without telling anyone, always do what the book says, and never say no to a camper.” 

“Never say no to a camper?” Darry asks.

“Yeah, some stupid policy to make every summer camp resident happy, it can get ya into some real trouble though.” 

“I’m sure.” Darry says not even trying to imagine what could go wrong with that rule. Suddenly there is a soft rapping on the hollow wooden door. 

“Are my boys decent?” It’s Penny's sweet voice ringing through the air as she comes in anyway. Kathleen is on her heels clad in flowy ballet skirts. 

“I’d say a little better than decent.” Neal laughs and claps Darry on the shoulder. 

“I’m glad,” Kathleen exclaims. “I’m sure it will be just like last year where they overload us with stupid dances on the same day.” The other two nod in agreement as they set out the door on the way to the dance hall. 

On the way, they catch up with some of the other dancers who Darry doesn’t know. He learns their names pretty quickly, or at least he tries to. 

“Think Kellerman will give his signature lecture again?” One of them asks.
“You’ve been here for how long and you’re asking if he might do it?” Another snarks. 

“Well I don’t know.” 

“How could you forget Kellerman's signature rule anyhow!” Penny exclaimed. 

“Never say no to the camper!” They all yell together. Darry smiles like everyone else and they enter into the dance hall, taking a seat in the bleachers. He looks at Penny, who mimes a gun to her head and a dead face. He smiles. The dancers chatter among themselves, then suddenly someone trips over them. 

“Ow!” Penny yelps, while the boy gets off of them. He looks into Darry's face, snarling. he’s mean looking, like Tim, if Tim had money and parents that bought off the police. 

“ Oh, my bad ,” His lips turn up in a mean way. “Is this your new partner Penny?” He spits out her name like a curse, but before Penny can answer Darry puts a haphazard hand on his shoulder. 

“Yeah, what’s it to you?” He can’t manage a smile. Just stares dead panned at this boy. 

“Oh, nothing, just some big shoes to fill.” He stands up and gives Darry the derogatory look up and down. “Try not to screw anything up, big guy, or Kellerman will be the first to know.” He turns on his custom made heels and walks away. Darry turns to Penny, whose mouth is drawn in a hard line, her eyes far away. 

“What was that Penny?” 

“I knew this was going to happen.” She says softly. 

“What?” Darry is at a loss here, he doesn’t know what just happened. 

“He was my dance partner last year. He wanted to be more than that and I didn’t want to. He probably thinks it’s because of you.”

“It’s nothing I haven’t handled before. I can make sure he stays away.” 

“You don’t get it. He got this job because his dad is friends with Kellerman. He has Kellerman around his little finger.” 

“But Kellerman seemed to like me yesterday.” Darry thought back on the experience. 

“That’s the thing about Kellerman,” Neal said, putting in his piece. “Kellerman is a bipolar man. One day he likes you and he’s putting on a good face, the next you’re just a piece of poor white trash. I really don’t get the man.” Penny can only nod, her face still faraway. 

“With boys like him, there is nothing you can do.” She says quietly. Before Darry can say anything else, the presentation starts.

Kellerman comes out of the back with a microphone as the dance hall claps for him. Most of the kids are hiding the fact that they hate him. 

“Well hello my fine employees.” He motions with his hand, pointing the microphone at the thirty of them. In a monotone sludge the dancers chant back. 

“Hello Mr. Kellerman.” 

“Good to know you are all doing good. Now we start the best presentation of the year!” He blabbers on for a few minutes more about how excited he is for the summer. Then he starts on exactly what Neal said he was going to say. 

“Now dancers, you are under no circumstances to leave without telling anyone. You must tell us where you’re going, I’m not trying to lose dancers on the account that they want to drink themselves to death on a Sunday.” Darry thought that line didn’t make sense but he rolled with it. “Next, you’ll get a book at the end of this presentation. When in doubt, ask the book. I don’t want to answer stupid questions. If you can’t read, ask your neighbor.” Darry thought he meant it to be a joke, but nobody laughed. “Now, for my most important rule, I’m sure most of you know what it is.” 

“Never say no to the camper.” Someone says in a bored tone. 

“Yes, thank you! Never say no to the camper! This is a very important rule, it prevents bad customer reviews. If I ever hear someone say that one of my dancers said no to a customer you will find yourself out of a job.” He says it seriously, pointing his finger and raising his eyebrows. “Now, in a lighter sense, separate into your groups, it’s time to learn some dances!” 

There were really only enough dancers for three groups. They were separated based on partners. Neil and Kathleen were in a different group. Penny and Darry were still partners, they were just in larger groups. 

“Listen up guys.” It’s one of the instructors, he has a mustache and is wearing gym shorts that are a little too short. “You need to know these dances, in and out, out and about, because two weeks from now, you’ll be the instructor, not me.” He had a sort of southern drawl, almost sounding like he was from Georgia. Darry looks at Penny for help as mustache blabbers something off that they did last year. 

“Just follow my lead, you’ll be fine.” He falls into a rhythm as they start with a simple fox trot. Darry is doing okay, following Penny as mustache runs around the dance hall yelling out instructions and criticism. Then he comes over to where Darry and Penny are dancing and watches for a moment, before starting to yell at Darry. 

“Hey big man, you think you’re doing good? Well, News flash! You need to be the one leading, not your sweet partner, man up a bit. Come on now!” Then he trots away, off to yell at someone else for a minute. 

“You’re doing fine.” Penny assures him. “Take charge when you feel ready.” It’s a few more minutes as they trot around. Darry takes charge and Penny laughs, hitting his arm. “There you go! My beautiful student.” He smiles and they continue dancing for another hour. Learning another dance with the group before lunchtime. 

“Alright, line up!” Mustache says. Before they leave, he hands everyone a different set of papers. “Before you leave for lunch I wanted to give you the diagrams of your individual dances. You don’t need to learn these right away, but you do have to keep them in mind. If you would learn them before the campers arrive, that would be great. The day before campers arrive, we will do evaluations. Know your dance! Now get out of here!” The class dismisses and everyone starts chattering excitedly. 

“I think I got it!” Darry says to Penny. 

“Of course you got it! You’re a natural!” They meet up with Neal and Kathleen and start out the door for the dining hall and the lawn. 

“Funny how this is the only time we’ll be able to eat in the dining hall.” Neal grumbles. 

“You serious man?” Darry says. 

“Yeah, after this, we just get the leftovers or you can buy groceries yourself.” 

“It’s pretty fun though.” Penny says, trying to lighten the mood. “I can cook for you Darry, everyone loves my cooking.” 

“Not everyone.” Neal says under his breath. “Remember last summer when you messed up the instant potatoes?” 

“How could we forget?” Kathleen says, starting to laugh. 

“How could you mess up on those? The instructions are on the back of the box!” Darry laughs, about to make a sarcastic remark when he is shoved in the back, nearly falling into Penny. 

“Watch it big man.” The voice doesn’t come out as menacing as Darry knows it’s meant to be. He looks up, it’s the same boy that tripped over Penny earlier. 

“You watch it,” Darry says. “You’ve tripped over us twice already. It’s not my fault you’re a klutz.” Darry knows that his trash-talk could use some work, that’s usually why he kept Two-bit or Soda around. They could crack a joke and Darry could crack your jaw. 

“What are you trying to do man?” The boy turns around and Darry gets a good look at him. He’s tall and thin with dark features and a haircut that screams ‘daddy's money’. He’s not the worst looking kid in the world, real socy with a crooked lip, Darry figures it’s from turning his lip up at people all the time. 

“I’m not trying to do anything. From what it looks like, you’re the one trying to start something.” 

“You started something when you stepped foot in Kellermans as Penny’s partner.” 

“Not my fault I didn’t want to partner with a stuck up heap of trash like you Andrew!” Penny says. 

“Hey.” He takes a step forward, a murderous glint in his eye. Penny flinches and Darry steps in front of her. 

“You touch her and see what happens.” Darry says solemnly. Andrew takes a step back, hands up in surrender. Laughing like a wounded dog. 

“You want to play that card big man? You really want to play that card? You forget who I am.” Darry can feel Penny growing impatient behind him. 

“Andrew, nobody cares who your father is, ust get out of here and scurry back to your trashy friends.” Darry looks him up and down, Andrew puffs out his chest and then turns around, stalking back to his group at the base of the hill. Then he turns around. 

“Watch your step big man. Watch your step.”

Chapter Text

The next morning Darry wakes up to a scream. It’s coming from somewhere in the camp…where the girls are sleeping. Alarm bells go off in his brain and he bolts to the small row of bungalows where Penny and Kathleen are staying. The door is wide open and Kathleen is nearly in the street, clad in pajamas and bare feet. Penny is standing on the stoop, nervously laughing as her shaking fingers go to light up a cigarette. Darry is looking around wildly. 

“Penny? What happened? Are you okay?” He asks the questions in rapid succession, genuinely worried about the variation of answers he could get. 

“Damn,” She swears softly as he makes his way up to the stoop. “Why can’t Andrew just leave me alone?” She starts to lean into him as he goes stiff. 

“What did Andrew do?” He asks, trying in vain to keep the building rage at the back of his mind. 

“He killed some animal and spread its blood everywhere. Kathleen woke up before me and obviously freaked out.” He turned to look at Kathleen who was being coaxed back to the row of bungalows by a shirtless bed-headed Neal. He looks at Penny whose jaw is tight and her face is white and shaking. She looks close to crying. 

“What is wrong with people? What is wrong with him? Who in their right mind wants to kill an animal and drag its blood all around?” Darry finds himself rushing to comfort her. Putting an arm around her pulling her close. Then Neal and Kathleen come over. 

“What the hell happened?” Neal asks in his no nonsense sort of way.

“Andrew.” Was all that Penny could say. Neal seemed to understand nodding softly and rubbing the back of a crying Kathleen. Darry, ever the problem solver wanted to do something. 

“Well what can we do? Can we get him back or get him in trouble?” Penny sighs painfully and looks at him. 

“No.” 

“Well how do you know it was him then?” 

“He wrote blood traitor on the mirror in blood. That was a joke we had some time ago. I just can’t believe him. I can’t believe he is sore over a new partner! He had to know that he wasn’t even that good of a dancer!” 

“Speaking of which,” Kathleen says through her crying. “Why hasn’t he come over to gloat? Usually he would have done that by now?” 

“He’s probably a little intimidated with Darry around.” Penny says with a little grin, sucking on her cigarette. 

“Penny, put that out.” Neal says. She doesn’t comply but Neal lets it go. “Well we all have rehearsals in twenty minutes, we’ll go and Darrel and I can help you guys clean up after. How does that sound?” He’s talking to both of them but he’s looking at the crying Kathleen. She nods and goes to wipe her eyes. Penny finally puts out her cigarette and turns to go inside the bungalow. Kathleen quickly follows. Neal starts down the steps and Darry follows, feeling much more like a tired old man. He’s sick of bullies. He’s been tired of them for as long as he can remember, but especially since a few of them tried to drown his baby brother in the fountain at the park. Ponyboy was just a kid and he didn’t deserve it. Long before that too, but that was the breaking point. Why can’t this Andrew jerk just leave them alone? Why can’t everyone just be decent? He could give Darry a glare or never speak to him but why does he have to go messing up the girls rooms and making Kathleen cry? Neal seems to be thinking the same exact thing. 

“What is wrong with guys like Andrew? I just don’t understand the appeal in making girls cry.” Darry nods along. 

“And you know there's really nothing you can do because he has the money and the connections and everything that we don’t.” Darry says. 

“It’s the same as it was in Tulsa.” The two boys get dressed for rehearsal and then they go to meet the girls. Penny drapes a lazy arm around his waist, Kathleen goes straight to Neal and starts a quiet conversation. 

“Penny,” Darry starts quietly. 

“Mhh?” She looks up almost sleepily. 

“You don’t think this Andrew guy would ever hurt you? Like physically?” She looks startled by the question before thinking. 

“I want to say no, but after today I really don’t know. He might do anything at this point.” 

“Does he want to get back at me?” 

“Mostly me for dropping him but getting back at you would be an added bonus I’m sure.” 

“Well from now on you shouldn’t go anywhere alone.” She smiles.

“Are you putting me on house arrest Darrel Curtis?” He should smile but he is very serious. 

“Just don’t go anywhere alone without me or Neal or even some of the other girls. I don’t want him to catch you alone and… hurt you. I think I’d lose this job for the charge of manslaughter.” Penny laughs a little at that and Darry smiles. 

“Besides, your brothers need you too much without you being stuck in a federal prison.” Penny says and laughs. 

“We need to call them sometime today.” 

“Yeah,” she smiles quietly. “That might do a little to lift our spirits.” Then she’s back to smiling and talking about nothing. Darry just doesn’t understand how she can do that so quickly. How she can have her room destroyed and then go on smiling at him like everything is okay. He guesses it has something to do with growing up in her fathers house. His heart suddenly aches for her. She shouldn’t have to deal with a father like that, or a stupid boy named Andrew who only wants to mess up her life. Darry hates it. 

At practice Andrew seems relatively normal. Saying nothing to them or anyone besides his own rich summer-job kids. Darry decides not to go up and start something, only because Penny begged him not to. 

They rehearse the rest of the dances, the mustache man yelling at darry for not taking the lead. Darry tries to press down the hatred that he’s feeling for Andrew but he can’t seem to do it. Penny starts worrying. Looks as she initiates contact to try and make him feel better. soon they are out of there. Kellerman figures that they have had enough and will be ready for when campers get there in the next few weeks.

All of them immediately start cleaning out the girls bungalow. Andrew really did a number on the carpet. There is blood everywhere. Kathleen is crying as she scrubs bleach into the carpet and Penny’s hands are shaking as she wipes down the mirror. Darry doesn’t know what he can do to help.A time like this makes him wish for someone like Sodapop. Soda’s always so good with emotions and making people feel better about things. Even though Penny has said that Darry is getting better, he doesn’t really believe her. Despite the fact that he feels completely at ease comforting Penny, his version of comfort compared to Sodapops still seems stiff and awkward. 

Right now, he is scrubbing the hard tile by the door. There’s blood in between the tiles that he can’t quite seem to get out with a rag. Neal is throwing away the chopped up animal parts in a garbage far away from the girls bungalow. He doesn’t know what kind of disgusting person you have to be to chop an animal's head off and drag its blood around a girls room, but Andrew seems to fall right into that category. he doesn’t know what kind of disgusting person you have to be to chop an animals head off and drag its blood around a girls room, but Andrew seems to fall right into that category.

“ You know,” Penny starts, which is never a good sign. Darry starts to smile to himself. “If you and Andrew ever did get into a fight, you’d knock his head right off. you’d kill him before he could even get a swing in.” Penny exclaims, clapping her hands and laughing a little. Darry can tell she’s trying to stop them from shaking. He can also see that she is trying to distract herself. Penny exclaims, clapping her hands and laughing a little. Darry can tell she’s trying to stop them from shaking him. He can also see that she is trying to distract herself.

“Yeah,” Darry starts. “It wouldn’t be a fair fight at all.”

“ Poor little Andrew wouldn’t stand a chance.” Kathleen says, trying to laugh a little. Then Neal comes back, standing in the doorway with a concerned look in his unwavering eyes. in his unwavering eyes.

“Darry,” He starts. “Andrew says he wants to talk to you.” 

“Already? We’ve just barely had lunch. I can’t believe this kid.” 

“You’re not going.” Penny says, pulling another cigarette out of her blouse pocket and lighting up. 

“Penny, you know-.” Neal starts. 

“Neal, does it look like I give a damn about Kellerman's no smoking rule now?” He shakes his head and goes to stand by Kathleen. 

“Now don’t you dare go out to talk to him.” Penny takes a drag. “You know he don’t want to talk.” Darry knows that much is true just because of where he grew up. Talking was never just talking. 

“Yeah.” Neal says. “If he wants to talk to you it’s going to be on your terms.” 

Chapter Text

The next week is when campers start to arrive. So far Andrew hasn’t done anything that should warrant Darry to give him the ass-beating he deserves. In the orientation they all do a group dance to welcome the families. Darry does all right and Penny seemed happy with his performance. Pretty soon they are teaching dancing lessons to campers that afternoon instead of eating lunch. He’s seen other boys teaching and they aren’t doing as well as him. His momma raised him right with good southern manners, he knows better than to be mean to a woman. He hasn’t told a customer no yet, so Kellerman can’t get pissed at him either. 

After the dances he meets Penny, Neal, and Kathleen back at the bungalows for a quick snack before the nighttime show and lessons ensue. 

“God,” Penny says, reaching for another secret cigarette, despite the glare from Neal. “I’m so sick of old men who want dancing lessons. They don’t want to learn, it’s just an excuse for them to grope me.” She tries to balance this with a laugh, even though it sounds serious. 

“Is there anything you want me to do?” Darry says, ever the fixer. 

“Remember? Never say no to a customer.” She says through drags. 

“That rule makes me want to kill myself.” Kathleen says from the kitchen area, frying an egg. Darry doesn’t reply, instead pulling out a notepad and starting on a letter to his brothers. He’s about a paragraph in when he realizes the only things he’s written are about bills and other housekeeping. He throws away the paper and restarts, in an attempt to be more sentimental. He can’t help but to think of Ponyboy and his love for writing. His talent at twisting words into beautiful stories like wool into yarn. It’s magic. Darry often falls into the same rut when he thinks about his brothers. As the oldest sibling, you are supposed to be proud of your siblings, happy at their differences, and complimentary to the things they are good at. But he often falls into the same motion of thinking his brothers are the best of the family. That he was merely the oldest, the lab-rat and the one that his parents made all the mistakes with. That’s why Pony’s in college… because he’s the best of them. 

“Darry?” He turns to find Penny staring at him with wide eyes, looking concerned. 

“Yeah?” He asks, trying to get the attention off of him. 

“You okay? I think I’ve seen ya start that letter over four times now.” 

“I’m fine.” He says it softly and she walks over to him. 

She drapes an arm around his shoulder. “Don’t be afraid to tell me things, okay? I know you’ve got it in your head that you’re supposed to be big and tough all the time but you don’t. Not with me. Just… talk to me.” She finishes, kissing his temple and putting out the cigarette on a stray banana peel. 

“Thanks Penny.” She nods and goes back to mindless chatting with Katherine. Neal comes over to him, sitting down and lowering his voice. 

“Has Andrew said anything to you at all?” 

Darry shakes his head. “He won’t if he knows what's good for him.” Neal seems to accept that, not asking anything else. 

Darry ends up throwing away his last attempt at a letter too. Instead, he watches Penny dance to the radio. He begins to indulge in a fantasy of them together. He’d never really thought of Penny in a romantic sort of way. She was a greaser girl, same as him. They’d gone to school together all their lives and she’d always been around. She was tough, sweet, smart, and quick as a whip. He could see a lot of benefits if they got together but something didn’t quite fit about them. Darry honestly thought of her more as a sister. He wished she’d come around more in the past few years but his parents death and the whole custody thing had really driven everyone off. He’d liked her in high school but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t imagine them together. He didn’t know what Penny thought about all of this. She was flirty with everyone and Darry was no exception. 

“Y’all ready for the nightly dances?” Penny asked suddenly, snapping him out of his own thoughts. Neal nods and Kathy pumps her fist. 

“Sure.” Darry says, putting the notepad down and throwing the last of the paper away. They head out of the bungalow and down the gravel part of the road. Penny walks over to him, slinging her arm around his waist and confusing Darry again. Then he shakes himself. He isn’t going to do this, make something more complicated than it is. He’s not going to read into anything and convince himself that she’s in love with him or some stupid shit. He’s just going to go on caring about her like he always has and being there for her when he can. Like a brother, not that he ever thought they were something more anyway. 

“You should just send whatever letter you keep rewriting to your brothers.” Penny says, eyes on the road ahead and a smirk pulling at her lips. That surprises Darry, he didn’t think any of them were watching him do that. 

“Well you should really stop snooping around in other peoples stuff.” She laughs a little bit at that. 

“Darry, I’m serious. You need to stop overthinking everything and just send the letter. Sometimes I think that you think your brothers hate you.” He opens his mouth but she cuts him off. “They don’t hate you. They look at you like you’re some kind of superhero. Those kids love ya, the whole gang too. Just send the letter for gods sake.” 

He wants to say something but doesn’t want it to come out sounding stupid so he just nods. Now that the two of them are back in sync with each other, she sees through him perfectly. She knows exactly what's going on with him without even asking. They approach the oversized dance hall, no more words spoken between them. 

“Maybe we can call them tonight. I know they loved talkin’ to ya.” He says softly and Penny nods. 

“I’d like that.” They step inside the dance hall then, alive with their co-workers getting ready to dance for all of these rich camp people. 

“Hey!” Darry doesn’t turn at first. There are plenty of the dancers milling around stretching and talking loudly to each other. “Hey Castle! Since that’s what you’re calling yourself these days.” Darry turns around to find Andrew stumbling up to him. He smells like a bar room floor and is nearly red in the face at how angry he is. “I’ve been lookin’ everywhere for you!” He slurs. 

“Andrew,” he starts. “Good to see you too.”

Chapter Text

“Told ya we’d meet again big man.” Andrew slurs, nearly falling into Darry’s chest. Darry pushes him off. 

“Leave us alone.” Darry says, sounding menacing. “We got rehearsal.” 

Andrew either doesn’t hear him or doesn’t care. “You ‘n me are gonna let it all out… now.” That’s when Penny steps in between them. 

“Sleep it off Andrew.” She says. “You don’t want to fight Darry, especially not in your state. Go back to your bunk.” Andrew turns murderous at that. 

“Don’t tell me what to do! You’re just another bitchy charity case!” He lunges forward and grabs Penny’s wrist. 

“Andrew-” Penny’s voice sounds strangled but before she can even get anything out, Darry sees red. He steps in between them, twisting Andrew's wrist back and punching him once. 

“You don’t get to touch her.” He says dangerously. Andrew stumbles back, obviously shocked at the punch but then he jumps at Darry. Uncoordinated and falsely confident from alcohol consumption. Darry grabs his other wrist, deflecting him easily and hitting three more times. Quick, controlled, a warning . He lets out a cry and that’s when the mustached dance instructor from earlier busts in, yelling something and getting in between the boys. 

“What the hell is this!” He screams. “You guys shouldn’t be fighting like this!” Andrew backs off at that but Darry is still fuming. As soon as Andrew had said anything about Penny, he’d seen red. “Darry Curtis you could be out of a job for this and Andrew! What is your father going to say!” Darry almost starts yelling that. He could be losing his job but Andrew will get off fine after they tattle to his Daddy? The whole thing feels ridiculous. 

“Andrew started it!” Penny fires back at that. “He said terrible things to me.” She even lets her voice choke. Darry almost smirks, giving the whole thing away. This was something Penny used to do back in high school when one of her guys got in trouble. She would pretend like the other guy was hurting her and start up the waterworks and her guys would usually get off a little better. The mustached man at least has the decency to look a little apologetic. 

“Alright, Penny, honey, it’s okay. We’re gonna get this sorted out.” Penny sniffles at that. 

“Is Darry gonna get in trouble?” She asks, sounding so much like a little kid that Darry almost falls for the whole charade. 

“I can…” He rubs his neck awkwardly. “I can try to get him off easy.” She nods at that, wiping her eyes. “Andrew, go home and sleep it off.” Andrew mumbles something and walks away, flanked by one of his other friends. “Penny, Darry, come here.” They follow the guy into the back of the ballroom where some offices are. Darry gives Penny a small smile and Penny sticks out her tongue but nods her thanks. “Listen,” the guy closes the office door behind him. “I can get ya off easy kid but you gotta do something for me, okay?” 

Darry nods, wanting to wash himself clean from this mistake. Not that he really regretted it but if he lost his job, his family back home would be in some deep trouble. 

“There’s this resort nearby that needs two dancers for one night. It’s called Crestview Cove, a pretty expensive place. Now I know you two are good but this dance will need some special attention. It pays pretty good for one night's work but our last five dance couples that have tried to do it all have gotten hurt.” Penny is already nodding before Darry can even process what is going on. “Kellerman needs someone and none of our other dancers will do it.” 

“Darry and I can keep our jobs?”

“As long as you don’t do anything else stupid and you agree to do this dance? Yeah, your contracts will hold till the end of the summer.” 

Penny grins. “We’re in.” 

“Perfect, I’ll tell Kellerman. Now get out of my office and go warm up.” The two leave and Penny starts giggling excitedly. 

“What did you just do?” Darry asked, more bewildered than anything else. 

“I’m just making sure we get to keep our jobs stupid.” 

He grins, feeling dumb. “You know I can barely dance as it is.” 

“Oh shut up,” Penny snaps. “You’re a great dancer. It’s like football or something, just practice, right?” Darry nods. 

“Okay.” 

“Shut up, we’ll be fine. You need to stop worryin’ all the time baby.” He nods again, feeling stupid and trying to push all the worries from his head. 

He lowers his voice then. “I forgot how much of a kick it was to watch you do the whole cryin’ thing.” 

She laughs and slaps him in the chest. “That thing? It ain’t exactly hard, alls I gotta do is think of dead puppies or some shit.” he laughs easily and they walk back into the gym to where Neal and Kathleen are stretching. 

“Well I ain't fired if thats what you're thinking.” Darry says, grinning then. 

“What happened then?” Neal sounds urgent and worried. 

“We just got that dancing gig at Crestview.” Penny says excitedly. 

“What? You know about all the bad things that have happened to the last dancers there!” Kathleen says, looking worried. Penny starts to stretch. 

“Doesn’t mean its gonna happen to Darry and I.” 

“Pen, one guy died.” 

“Ain’t gonna happen to Darry or me.” She says sternly, giving Kathleen a look so she knows that she means it. “We’re gonna be the best damn things they've ever seen anyways.” Darry has to grin at her bravado. He still can’t help but to think about why she’s had to be like this, it makes him a little bit sad and he finds himself wishing that he would have spent more time with her in high school. 

“We’ll help you guys train then.” Neal says decidedly, looking a little worried. 

“Neal,” Penny says, getting his attention. “We had to do this or we were gonna lose our jobs.” 

“I know that Penny, I ain’t scared or anything but I can’t help but to worry.” 

Before Penny or Darry can get worried when the rehearsal starts up. Darry goes through the motions, trying to follow the Mustached guys advice and stop overthinking everything. He takes the lead with the dances and Penny moves like one fluid motion, letting him swing her around like a little rag doll. He checks in constantly, worried that he might be hurting her. When she’s in his arms during the mambo she whispers that it's good for him to throw her around a little bit, helps her to stay loose. He tries to work it in, staying loose and strong at the same time. 

It helps and Penny and him flourish out there. 

After about an hour, their instructor calls it quits. Telling them that he has big plans for them as the summer goes on and dismissing them for nightly lessons. 

“I never asked if you were okay.” Darry says quietly as they unlace their dance shoes to go back on the gravel. 

She gives him an incredulous look. “What?” 

“Yeah. I should have made sure you were okay after Andrew grabbed you.” 

She smiles and puts a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve got Darrel Curtis AKA Johnny Castle as my guard dog. Why would I not be okay?”

Chapter Text

Andrew stayed away after that. Of course he still glared and said cruel things to his friends but his broken nose and two black eyes were more than enough of a warning. Darry could tell that Penny was still worried about it, even if she wasn’t saying anything to him. He knew her ticks and the way that she moved that she was scared. When he’d brought it up to Neal, his eyes had gone dark and he only said that Andrew had hurt her the past. 

That made Darry’s blood boil. 

Not that he could do anything around it. 

“You gonna kill this guy Dar?” Soda asked then, sounding close to laughing. 

“He would deserve nothin’ less.” Darry grumbles. 

“Penny’s a sweet girl but she sure does get mixed up with some bad people.” Darry hums into the payphone, knowing it’s true. She’d always gotten mixed up with the real greasy hoods in high school. The kind of guys that hung around at Buck’s bar on weeknights and sold drugs. “Not that it’s her fault.” 

“I know. Don’t say nothin’ to her about it if we get her on the phone again. She’s already worryin’ her head off about all of it.” 

“My lips are sealed.” Soda says and Darry knows he’s doing the action too. “Besides all this, are you doin’ okay Darry?” 

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He pushes him off. Darry had chosen not to inform the boys about his performance at Crestview resort in order to keep his job. Who knows if they were keeping it together as it was and this would just add more worries. “S’not a big deal anyway. I’m just dancin’ with all the old rich ladies that drink ‘cause their husbands don’t like ‘em.” 

Soda nearly choked at that. “Yeah? You makin’ good tips at least?” 

“Sure, I’ll send home most of it. How you boys doin’ on bills?” 

“We’ll we’re all caught up now thanks to you.” 

“We shouldn’t have had to catch up at all, thanks to me.” Darry says under his breath. 

“Cheer up Darry, you know Tim Shepard got a real big kick outta you being a dance instructor?” 

“You just had to tell Tim?” Darry says with a groan. 

“He thinks it’s cool!” Soda laughs.

“There’s no way in hell that Tim thinks any of this is cool.” 

“Well since when have you cared what Tim thinks?” Darry stops at that, his kid brother sure knew how to knock the sense back into him. He sure needed it sometimes. 

“You heard back from any of the labor unions I called?” He asked then, quieter and more hesitant. He couldn’t help but to worry over this problem with money, he hated it. The summer gig was a good quick fix but as soon as Kellermans shut down for the summer, he’d be out of a job. 

“Nothin’ yet, but they won’t keep big strong Darry Curtis on the backburner for long.” Darry heaved a sigh. 

“Thanks Soda.” 

“You doin’ okay, really?” 

“Yeah buddy, I’m just fine.” He tried to sound loose, for Soda’s sake, but he couldn’t manage it. 

“You’d call me if you weren’t?” Soda sounds so genuine that it squeezes his heart. 

“Yes, goddamn kid, I’m okay I promise.” The other line is quiet for a minute. “It’s a two way street though. You can always tell me if somethin’ is wrong with you or Ponyboy.” 

“I know Dar.” He sounds sure and Darry deflates in relief. “Don’t have too much fun without us, m’kay?” 

“Alright.” 

“And tell Penny hi for us.” 

“I will, I’m sure she’s sad she missed you.” 

“She’s a sweet girl Darry.” 

“Yeah, she just shouldn’t be mixing up with bad people. I think it helps that I’m here.” 

“I’m sure.” 

“Alright little buddy. I miss ya and love you guys.”

“Miss you and love you too.” With that the line goes dead. Darry puts it back up on the cradle. Now that the house bills were caught back up, it felt like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. He could finally breathe now that he knew his boys back home were taken care of. 

He heads back up to the bungalow, hearing the laughs before he even enters into the girl's room. The door opens and he smiles. After the whole Andrew thing, Penny had been smoking like a chimney, despite all of Neals warnings for her to knock it off. 

“Darry!” Penny’s voice rings out to him and his grin widens. He makes his way over to her on the dilapidated couch and she makes room for him. It all feels so warm, loosening some of the anxiety still in his chest. “How are the boys?” 

“They’re fine. Soda missed you.” 

“I missed him too.” 

“You coulda come down with me.” Darry says quietly. Penny hadn’t wanted to talk to either of his brothers. She’d claimed it was because he should get to talk to them alone but Darry knew it had something to do with this whole Andrew business. She was scared, even if she wouldn’t say it directly. 

“Aww, thanks baby.” She says softly, a hand on the back of his neck. “I sure am glad those staff parties are starting back up though.” 

“Staff parties?” Neal came over at that, balancing a plate of watermelon. He was grinning. 

“They’re honestly the best part of this job.” 

“All the dancing staff gets together and we all just dance without that stupid guy telling us what we can and can’t do.” 

“They bring a bunch of food from the mess hall and all the dance instructors from the resorts all around here all mingle and dance.” 

“It’s real dirty.” Kathleen says and Darry grows confused. 

“What?” 

“Not like unclean.” Penny says, swatting Kathleen’s arm. “Dirty, like sexy.” 

“You guys like this?” 

“I didn’t think I would at first either, Darry.” Neal says around a mouth of watermelon. “But I love it now. Nothing like dancing without worrying who's watching.” 

“It really makes you love dancing just when you wanna kill yourself from all Kellerman’s rules.” Penny says, taking another drag.

“The Crestview gig too.” Darry says, rubbing at his knit eyebrows. They’d bee practicing some of the more complicated dance moves but he was still nervous. While Penny looked good no matter what, Darry felt sloppy and uncoordinated, even if Penny and Neal were giving him advice. He hated feeling so inadequate at his job. All of the other roofing jobs he’d had were easy for him to grasp onto. He was strong and ready equipped but sometimes with this dancing stuff, he felt so out of his element that it physically hurt. 

“We’re gonna get it down Dar, you’re such a worry wart.” He grinned a little bit, elbowing Penny back. 

“I just wanna do a good job.” 

“And you will, so just tell your mind to shut up for once and you’ll be fine.” 

“Thanks for the great advice Penny.” He said sarcastically. “But unlike some people, my mind doesn’t just shut off.” 

She grabbed his jaw then. “Well tell it Penny said so.” 

He tried not to let his cheeks grow hot. “Tell it yourself.”

Chapter Text

It was louder than Darry was used to. That was the only thing he really registered when they walked through the doors of the party. Well that and Penny’s hand around his waist. He could tell she wasn’t having a great day from how she’d smoked her breakfast. As much as she liked to joke that he was a worry wart, she seemed awfully nervous about Andrew’s lurking and the Crestview gig. Darry tried to push those thoughts from his mind, they just all wanted a nice night. 

 The building was apparently an unused dance hall, out of the way of camp patrons and Kellerman’s goons. He knew that they used it for staff parties, he just didn’t know about the nature of those parties. Neil looked more excited than Darry had seen him thus far. A lazy hand on Kathleen’s waist and an easy smile painting his face. It was strange to see him without the tenseness that usually took hold in his shoulders. 

Darry knew some of the other dance instructors there. They smiled and waved, making way for Penny and Darry. Penny immediately started dancing, almost falling into the music as she swayed against him. She possessed a certain grace and style that Darry didn’t think he’d ever have. Even if he spent the rest of his life trying to match her, it wouldn’t work. She danced like sunlight on the water. 

Darry matched her immediately, not wanting her to worry about being embarrassed or anything like that. “Your brothers okay?” She murmured, putting a hand on the back of his neck. He felt himself relax with her against him. He’d called the house earlier today, he knew Pony had a track meet and Soda had wanted to talk to him. It was the same as it always was. General shenanigans.

“Course. It’s a wonder they ain’t burned the house down yet.” Penny grinned at that. 

“Yeah, they don’t got big bad Darry to whip ‘em into shape, huh?” 

“Yeah, consider them lucky.” Penny laughs at him and they continue to dance. Kathleen was right about the whole thing, it wasn’t dirty per say but it had some dirty  undertones. Darry could almost laugh imagining Kellerman's face if he saw any of this. 

Darry wished that Penny would talk about what was going on with her. She’d been pretty tightlipped about how she was feeling with the whole Andrew affair. The only reason he knew something was up was because of how she was smoking. “You okay?” He asked, his voice hot in her ear. 

“Course.” She murmured back. “I’m just done thinking about anything. I don’t even want to worry about anything anymore.” 

“Amen to that.” They dance for a little while longer, downing some watery beer and trying not to think. After weeks of the hardcore highstakes disciplined style of dancing that Kellerman's people favored, it was nice to let his body go and actually have fun with dancing again. 

About four beers in, Penny is pulling him outside of the abandoned dance hall to a little grove of trees. Even in the dark, Darry could tell it was a pretty spot. 

“It gets too loud for me in there sometimes.” She said faintly, not really explaining what they were doing alone together outside. “Sometimes… I wish I was one of the people that could come to the camp, y’know? I just want to be someone who doesn’t have to worry.” She was a little more drunk than Darry had taken her for but he let her ramble on. “I’m sick of this ‘being poor’ shit, it sucks but there's no way around it, y’know?” Darry nodded, he did know. Being poor was considered shitty as soon as he’d had to bury his parents in cheap coffins. He’d known they were poor and stuff but until his parents died, he didn’t know the extent. “I just wanna be someone.” She said, sitting down and pulling out a cigarette. Darry sits next to her. 

“You are someone.” The three words felt hollow and stupid but he didn’t know what else to say to her right now. 

She smiled bitterly. “Maybe, but not anyone that matters.” She put her head on his shoulders instead of letting him answer. Darry stills, every muscle in his body stiffening as she lies her head down. “Darry?” 

“Mm?” He asks, feeling pretty out of it. 

“How come you never went for me in high school?” It’s the honesty in her voice that startles him. 

“Went for you?” He asks, trying to play dumb so that maybe she’ll leave it alone. He didn’t want to talk about high school, or any of that shit. 

“You know what I mean stupid. We woulda made a good pair. I like your family, you like me… I think… and we come from the same place.” 

“I don’t know.” He says dumbly. 

“I know I had a lot goin’ on… between my old man and all that shit with the Shepard crew but I think we coulda been good together.” 

“You were always goin’ with other guys…” Darry trails off, unsure of what he’s trying to even say. He didn’t know how to explain the divide between them. They’d been real close as kids but it felt like as soon as he’d gotten to high school, things just changed and he wasn’t the same kid he’d once been. “I didn’t wanna overstep.” He settles with. 

“This is about the other guys?” He runs a hand through his hair. 

“I guess I just figured… if you wanted more, you woulda told me.” 

“I guess I thought the same thing.” She smiles sleepily and Darry is once again unsure of why they’re even having this conversation. “But I liked what we had and I didn’t wanna ruin it. Besides, we both had all our own stuff going on. You and those soc’s and me and Shepard's crew… makin’ up for lost time now, aren’t we?” 

“Yeah, I guess that's true.” She pushes herself closer to him. “I ain’t the right kind of girl for ya anyway… not in the long run.” It might have been the alcohol but he brushes a hand through her hair. 

“What do ya mean Pen?” 

“I just mean…” She grasps for the words. “I was more like a sister to you, ya know? Laughin’ jokin’ pissing you off… but girlfriend? That’s like an untouchable realm for you. Nobody ever stayed Darry Curtis’s girlfriend for very long.” He didn’t know quite what to say to that so he ignored it. 

“You’re right about one thing… You're like my little sister Penny. I’d never let anything happen to ya. But all the other shit? Not really. I’d do anything for ya, girlfriend or not.” She smiles, putting a hand on the back of his head. 

“I know that, I’d be crazy not to. Guess I just wanted to know why you never got that close, but I guess you were just scared, like me.” He doesn’t say anything to that and Penny goes quiet, apparently done talking. 

“You ready to get home, Penny girl?” she nods against his shoulder. “That dancin’ tuckered you out, huh?” She nods again and he laughs. “Alright, let's go home.”