Dally has two pet names for you.
One is baby. He uses this one in front of everybody else, it's what he calls all the girls he hits on. "Baby" is him just teasing and flirting and putting on a show, the way he likes to do.
The second name is love.
This is the real pet name for you, the one he really means.
Love just falls from his lips so naturally but only when you're alone. It's just his way. Dally struggles to be soft when others are around, wanting to keep that sharp as a switchblade, cold as ice image he's worked so hard to build. A part of it is protectiveness, as long as he's tough then nobody's dumb enough to come near "Dally Winston's baby".
But when you're alone, he can soften a little.
He can have a smoke by the open window, looking out into the darkness as your record player plays some old, sweet love song he can smile when you walk into the room, taking your hand in his as he pulls you closer.
"Come 'ere, love..."
He smells of smoke and cologne, his hands are rough, but his lips are soft as he kisses you again and again...
