grayscale

[he nods and slowly wraps his arm around Will’s waist, hoisting him up off of the ground] I’m actually training to be a doctor at the university, so I promise that I won’t let you die or anything. … That was meant to sound um, how do you say it… reassuring?

[he laughs, then groans again] That was a nice try. [starts to limp along] Erm...the place I've been staying is nearby.

Will, if you don’t let me help you up then I’m just going to be forced to sit down beside you and freeze to death with you. 

[rolls over onto his back] Come on then. 

Need a hand up?

[brings his knees in to his chest, tucking his chin under until he's nothing more than a ball, but then he groans again, sticking one of his legs out straight] Just leave me here to freeze, please. I don't want to deal with this.

Yeah, Soc. Privileged rich kids who think the world bends to their will and are complete assholes.

Sounds like the guys who got me.

We’ll do it for ourselves if not for you. They’re Soc assholes who have really thick heads.

Soc?

Nah, it’s cool. I’ll get a few Greasers to help me out with dealing with them.

I couldn't ask you to do that. I'll just keep my head down and they'll hopefully leave me alone.

Yeah, well, those guys gave me some trouble in the past. Apparently they haven’t learned their lesson. (He poked gently at the bruises to feel if there were any problems with Will’s ribs.) Anything feel worse than bruised?

I feel bad for you then, wow....they're dickheads. [twists his body back and forth a little bit] I don't think so.

Don’t be a wimp. (He giggled.) Well, daddies don’t matter when it comes to payback. (He pointed at Will’s shirt.) Get rid of it. Gotta make sure nothin’s broken or anything.

I'm not really the vengeful type, my friend. [he pulls off his shirt with some difficulty, revealing a heavily bruised chest and abdomen]

(He came back with the first aid kits and pulled out peroxide and cotton balls.) It’s all good, man. (He dabbed at the blood.) You remember what those guys looked like?

[makes a small hissing sound] Oh, I know who they are. I also know their daddies can buy them out of any sort of consequence.

Thanks, man. (He pushed open the door to his house and put Will on the couch.) Sit here a minute while I get the kit. (He ran upstairs to the bathroom.)

[sits heavily on the sofa with a groan. he reaches up to his cheek to feel the tender skin around his eye, pulling his hand away to see his fingertips stained with blood. he keeps a hand wrapped around his aching torso] Thank you so much, again. It's nice to be out of the cold.

It’s just a nickname. If you really want to know, my real name is Paxton.

Very cool, Ponyboy, I have to say. Both your names are pretty slick.

(He began walking to his home.) Nice to meet you even though you got jumped. I’m Ponyboy.

Ponyboy? Strange name, but I'm not one to judge someone who's picking my ass up off the icy sidewalk.

[sees him laying there and rushes over] Are… you alright? Do you want me to call someone? The number here is 9-1-1, right? 

[rolls over] I'll be fine, just...help me up?

Too bad. I’m not going to let ya die. (He hauled him up and swung Will’s arm over his shoulders to support him.) You’ll feel better once we get you fixed up and settled.

[leans on pony, limping alongside] I sure as hell hope so. By the way, I'm Will. It's more than nice to meet you, mysterious savior.

Hey, man. You okay? I know you’re a Soc and everything, but no one deserves to get jumped by homophobes. (He tried to help him up.)

[groans again] Oh, just fucking leave me here to freeze. I don't want to move.