Sodapop's POV
The day was over, hoorah! The sun wasn't on its way yet, but it was surely a day meant for a good sunset. Today was nothing. Probably little to nothing. Unless you considered it my birthday, then I guess it was something after all, but it wasn't likely to be anything big! I only cared for the day when I could be around the gang.

"Hey, Soda." called a dreamy voice from the distance. Steve was waving through the window of inside the DX, and I followed inside without any hesitation.

"Hey." I said, watching him set down the rag he held from cleaning the window. "You took at least a few hours cleanin' that window and tryna find the right time to wave at me, I can tell. Long day, huh?"

Steve turned, whistling. "Oh, you think that's what I was doing? Well, this uh--this window here needed a lot of cleanin', Soda. Don't doubt me for a second."

"I can't believe that." a small smile grew on my face. "Especially with that clean rag."

Steve hummed, stepping closer to me. "I hope you can believe that I am ready to take you home and see you blow out those candles." he smiled softly. "I hope you can believe that I want nothin' but happiness for you. Not just on your day, but for as long as... ever."

A laugh swelled in my chest and left a good, warm feeling. "That's..." I began, then stole the rag from his side and began to wipe the fake residue off his nose. "What is this? Car oil?"

"It's my love for you." Steve said, which made my heart race a little faster than was necessary.

"So thoughtful." I murmured, feeling his hand touch my arm. "You're really somethin' else, hm?" Our eyes slowly met, but weren't locking. It was like we explored the very little space between us without any second thoughts. His eyes were a shining grey, but when they looked at me, all I could feel was home.

"I save it for you." Steve spoke delicately. His hand fell to mine as he grazed over my fingers and locked them with his. "You wanna get outta here?"

"You know I do." A part of me wanted to laugh at his dorky gestures, but I was completely fond of this side of him that was sweet, humble and dead handsome.

We clocked out of the station, giggling to ourselves without paying mind to any of the guests. As we ventured into town, some people gave us a weird, disapproving look but I could hardly care because Steve held my hand so tight, I never wanted to let go. I was reeling with joy.

Two-Bit and Dallas were on our porch when we arrived at my house. "Happy birthday, Soda." they said, and I gladly side-hugged them.

"Aw, you guys didn't have to show up." I said, internally knowing that wasn't the truth. This day was incomplete without the closest scoundrels I could ever have.

"Yeah, sure thing." Dally mockingly took a step out, but Two-Bit tugged on his jacket before he could make his way off the porch.

"Where else you gotta be, Dal?" Two-Bit poked fun at him.

Dally gave a low chuckle. "My sister's birthday party."

"You're full of it, Dally." Two-Bit gave a boisterous laugh.

"Shut up, Keith." Dally came crawling back, patting me on the shoulder. "Soda, we're always here, you know. Come on inside, man." he gave a side smirk to Keith and Steve. "We got you something."

"You got me something? Aw, you didn't have to." 

"Soda, you're home." Ponyboy came to the door, patting my arm. His smile never died, and his eyes looked just as young and pure as ever. Johnny's head popped out of the kitchen, giving us a small smile. "Hey, Soda."

"Hiya, Johnny." I greeted, then brought Pony into a short hug. "How are ya?"

"Fine. Johnny's getting plates for you-know-what." he winked. "Oh, and Darry's... somewhere."

We trailed into the kitchen, and as soon as I spotted a cake mounted on the counter, I wanted to flip. "Oh my--you guys did this? That's so sw--"

"You kidding? I didn't make this." Dally chuckled.

Two-Bit shook his head. "This ain't my craft."

I turned to Steve, patting his arm. "Steve, you did this?"

"Nah, no way." he smiled, motioning to Ponyboy. "Not without Pony's help."

A warmth blossomed in my stomach. They managed to get along just for the sake of my birthday, and that didn't go unnoticed. "I'm such a lucky son of a gun to have you guys. Where's Darry? So we can cut the cake."

"Soda, you forgot the candles." Ponyboy hurried up to the counter with a pair of candles.

"Aw, thank you, thank you." I patted his back, keeping him close to me. "Anyone got a light?"

Dally, Two-Bit and Steve all took out their lighters in unison, making me snicker from the quick response.

"I got it." Two-Bit muttered, lighting a flame and getting both candles. "There, firework show for the kids." he grinned.

"You got him those candles? Jesus, you really weren't kidding about lighting up his day." Dally mumbled.

Two-Bit wheezed. "It'll work. You and I made a bet, so it better work."

"What's the bet?" I wondered.

"He said that--"

"Hey, Darry." Steve invited, "Come on, Soda's blowing out his candles."

"Hey, guys." Darry joined the circle of hoodlums surrounding me. "Glad we're all here. Who's singing first?"

Ponyboy and Johnny looked at each other, then sang with Darry, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

Two-Bit and Dally snorted, looking at Steve for a moment. "Happy birthday, Mr. President..." Keith sang in a breathy, Marilyn Monroe impression, bursting into a laugh.

Steve chimed in, "Happy birthday to you."

The time was right, and I could no longer hold back my laugh as I blew out my candles with a forceful breath. 

"Don't tell us your wish, Soda." Darry patted my head.

"Course I won't." I gave a (hopefully) promising smile, knowing to myself what I wanted. But it wasn't a wish for me.

➽───────────────❥

We all sat together in the living room, reveling in the cake and company of friends and family. That was the one thing that came before anything else. Soon, we took the cake and games outside to air out the conversation. Two-Bit and Dally played charades with Ponyboy and Johnny, and Darry did some gardening.

Steve and I were cleaning up the leftover cake inside the kitchen, putting away the rest for later. "It was so delicious." I raved to him, "I don't know how you and Pony did it, but... it means a lot."

"It worked itself out." he wrapped his arms around me from behind as I cleaned the used forks and knives at the sink. I was okay with breaking my focus for a little bit. "Can't possibly imagine not havin' you."

"You're amazing, honey." I said, my chest filling with a familiar, warm feeling. "I mean, I can't remember the last time we did all this together. I'm really glad you're here... I wish you could stay, but... what would Darry say." I murmured the last few words, biting my lip a little and setting the last of the forks down.

Steve held my hands, laying his chin on my shoulder and leaning into my cheek. "He's not gonna say nothin', babe," he muttered. "It's your day, and you know nobody is gonna take that away from you."

In some small spin, I turned around to face Steve. "You must be the hero of the day, hm?" I gave a gentle smile, pecking Steve's cheek, then his warm and welcoming lips. "You're my hero every day, honey. I've wanted you for awhile."

"Want me to carry you?"

"Please."

Steve swept me off my feet. And in that second, I thought of my wish. If it wasn't for me, I wondered who it was going to affect. In some distant fit of laughter, I heard Dally slap a dollar bill in Two-Bit's hand. Huh. His bet seemed to pay off.

Happy Birthday Sodapop <3 Write in the comments what you think Two-Bit's bet was 😏