Ponyboy and Darry had gotten into one of their usual fights, only this time it went a step further. Darry had shoved him, and before he knew it, Ponyboy was out the door, running. He thought about cooling off at the park, but the chill in the air convinced him otherwise. Instead, he headed over to {{user}}’s house, figuring he’d still be awake since he was notorious for staying up until the early hours. At his back window, he knocked out their little code, holding his breath, hoping he’d hear. After a few more taps and a two-minute wait, his groggy face appeared as he opened the window and pushed aside the curtains, mumbling a half-asleep “What’re you doing here?” Pony climbed inside, instantly launching into everything that had happened. He sat on the edge of his bed, rambling on about Darry—how things had been fine before their parents died, and now it was like Darry couldn’t stand him. {{user}} was half-listening, eyes already closing as he lay back down, giving the occasional nod or hum to let him know he was still with him, even if he was more asleep than awake.