cinderebee

[cinderebee]

visiting london during spring break, here’s a quick soda trying a classic english breakfast

[cinderebee]

i was GOING THROUGH IT so much during college app season that i began projecting onto pony and wrote a short fic abt him sending in his college apps LMAO

“Still writin’ that same application?”

Ponyboy flinches as Soda’s voice startles him out of his thoughts. “There’s a lot of questions to answer, y’know.”

“Just don’t forget about the deadline,” Darry calls out from the living room. “The schools want all the materials by January 1st, so we have to mail–”

“--it five days earlier. I remember, Darry,” Ponyboy snaps. He scowls at the paper in front of him as though a stare intense enough might make it write itself.

“Cool it, Pone.” Soda puts a hand on his shoulder. “You should take a break. That application ain’t gonna run away just ‘cause you leave it alone for a bit.”

“But my sanity sure will,” Ponyboy mutters under his breath. 

“Quit being so dramatic.”

“I can’t stop working now.” The sun is setting outside, flooding their dingy bedroom with an impermanent warmth. Already, Ponyboy is running out of time. “I haven’t written a thing even though I’ve been thinking for so long. I keep on tryna pretend that it’s just another theme for Mr. Syme’s class, but it’s not.” He swallows, shaking his head. It’s my only shot to prove to everyone this dirt road in Oklahoma ain’t all I’m gonna be for the rest of my life. That’s what makes this pressure so much worse.

“Your theme was damn good. Can’t you just submit that?”

“There’s a different word limit for every question. I can’t turn in a whole book,” Ponyboy grumbles. 

“These schools got too many requirements,” Soda frowns. He reaches down to pinch Ponyboy’s cheek, but Pony swiftly dodges his hand. His hand falls back to his side, slightly hurt. “Pony, you’re only torturin’ yourself sittin’ here all day. Put on your jacket, let’s go to Dairy Queen or somethin’.”

“Soda, I already said I can’t.”

“It wasn’t a request. Put on your jacket, Ponyboy Michael Curtis.” Soda’s voice deepens into an uncanny facsimile of Darry, and Ponyboy can’t help but crack a grin. “You haven’t eaten a proper meal in days, that’s why you can’t think of any ideas.”

Now that Soda mentions it, he is feeling a bit hungry. Maybe a burger won’t hurt. “Are you paying?”

Soda rolls his eyes and fishes his paycheck out of his pocket. “Unlike someone, I actually have a job.” 

“Hey, that’s not my fault.” Ponyboy sets his pencil down. “Darry won’t let me anywhere near a job posting.”

“I told you already, Ponyboy.” Darry shouts again. Soda and Pony both cringe–you’d think they’d remember the walls are paper-thin after living in this house their whole lives. “You can get a job in college!”

Pony stiffens instantly. Soda sighs; college this, college that, hell, he can’t remember the last time they had a single conversation without bringing up the c-word in four months. He swings an arm around Pony’s shoulder, pulling him to his feet.

“You wanna try drivin’ this time?”

-

“--he truck! Stop the truck!” Soda screams, trying and failing to wrangle the wheel out of Ponyboy’s hands. “Oh my God, you almost hit that kid!”

“Why did he run in front of us in the first place!” Pony screams back, foot still pressed tight against the brakes. It takes him a few seconds to catch his breath, the same amount of time before a car honks behind him. For the first time in his life, Pony understands why people get road rage. 

“It was a red light, Pony, you were supposed to stop.” Soda’s tone softens, now that the threat of imminent manslaughter has passed. “Didn’t you say Two taught you how to drive?”

“Just a couple times, in the lot,” Pony admits, pulling the truck up to the sidewalk. “And…it didn’t go so well.”

There’s a moment of dreadful silence where all Pony can do is hope Soda doesn’t connect two and two. Unfortunately, he shoots up with a gasp. “Dude, you made that dent in my truck? Two told me it was always there!”

“I didn’t ram into the pole that hard!” Pony interjects. “Your car already has too many dents to count, anyway.”

“And how many of those did you cause?”

“Just the one!”

Soda crosses his arms.

“…Alright, maybe a couple others.”

“A couple?” Soda collapses back into his seat, defeated. He traces the cracks spiderwebbed across the truck’s muddy side window, murmuring: “My poor baby, my Marianne, what have you gone through?” 

“You named your truck Marianne?” There’s a look halfway in between I’m-going-to-tell-Steve-all-about-this-so-you’ll-never-live-it-down and How-am-I-related-to-this-guy-again? on Pony’s face. “Isn’t that also the name of the girl that’s been visiting you everyday at the DX?”

The way Soda’s face turns tomato red would have Pony laughing till next Sunday if not for the all-encompassing relief that follows, overwhelming everything else. It’s been three years since Sandy, two since Soda claimed he’d gotten over it. Can’t bring myself to blame her anymore, he said. We were all just kids, and things were bad all ‘round. I hope she’s doing better, wherever she is. Call him immature, but Pony didn’t buy any of that forgive-and-forget bullshit. A spark had left Soda after Sandy, but now it’s finally, finally coming back. 

“What’s she like?” Pony asks quietly. They’re back on the road, Soda’s gaze chained to the truck accelerator. He wishes Pony would go a little slower, but he isn’t one to talk.

“Real sweet. Smart, too. I don’t get what she sees in me,” Soda snorts. 

“She ‘ought to see the whole world of you.” Pony says, always quick to defend Soda, even against himself. “Are you guys gonna go on a proper date soon? I mean, outside of the DX.”

Soda shakes his head resolutely. “I mean it when I say she’s smart, Pone. Top of her class and everythin’. She’s gonna get outta this place like you, and I can’t be draggin’ her down.” 

Pony falls quiet. You ain’t dragging anyone down, he wants to say. So go on that date, you wuss, and let me know how it goes. Just a few years ago, Pony would have said exactly that and without any hesitation. But now, even though the sky is the same shade of dark, Socs just as mean, and everything mostly the way it used to be, Pony can’t bring himself to say it. Because what has he been doing the last couple months aside from seeing everything in Tulsa as a burden, just as Soda said? If he’d been born anywhere else, Pony would think, these college essays would be easier to write. If he had any other story to tell besides being a hood and nothing more than a hood, shitty sentences from his half-baked first drafts wouldn’t echo in his ears every time he tried to sleep.

Nevertheless, if Soda were to stare at Pony dead in the eyes right now and ask him to stay, to not go to college…Pony would do it. Just for him. But Soda would never do that—wouldn’t even think to, because Soda is nothing if not damn selfless. 

An icy sickness burrows into Pony’s stomach. The whole world is moving on without Soda, he realizes. Pony is part of that world. So, too, is this Marianne. And Soda is just letting it all happen.

“A couple dates wouldn’t hurt, even if she has to go eventually,” Pony mumbles. 

“She deserves something that will last,” Soda responds. You deserve something that will last, Pony thinks, but that also goes unsaid.

The two spend the rest of the drive in silence, but it’s not the comfortable sort they used to be so familiar with. 

-

“Say, Two-Bit, what brings you joy?” Ponyboy’s breaths emerge as small puffs in the dawning dew, reminiscent of the cigarettes he can no longer smoke. Not after everything that happened. 

Unlike Pony, Two-Bit has no such qualms. A cancer stick is wedged firmly in between his index and middle fingers. “Jesus, take me out to dinner before asking deep questions like that.”

“I’m serious.” Pony says. “I need ideas for my essays.”

“It’s always you and that essay these days.”

“Essays, Two-Bit. There’s multiple.”

“Alright, let’s see…” He taps his chin in mock contemplation. “My family for sure, and the whole gang.”

“...I was thinking more like an action or hobby.”

“Oh, you shoulda’ said that sooner!” He perks up. “Shopliftin’, duh.”

“Why do I even bother asking?” Pony groans, standing up. It’s getting too cold out on the porch, and he’s been losing feeling in his toes.

“Hold your horses, horseboy! Don’t go abandonin’ me so soon,” Two-Bit says. “Shopliftin’  might be my only hobby, but you got plenty more than me, don’t cha?”

“If I did, I would already know what to write by now.”

“Oh, don’t be like that.” Two-Bit raises his hands, ticking a finger off for each thing he lists. “You like to read those books of yours, watch the sunset, and don’t you think I didn’t hear you hummin’ The Beatles when you were hangin’ up the laundry on Monday.”

Pony turns away, his face reddening. “Weren’t you supposed to be at work?”

“Nah, Rodney covered for me.” Two-Bit shrugs. “Couldn’t be missing out on the famous Ponyboy Curtis’s private concert now, could I?”

“Keep up your blabbering and I’m going to punch the livin’ daylights outta you,” Ponyboy threatens, but his words have no genuine heat. “Besides, none of those things are real hobbies. They’re just…”

“Things you like to do when you’re free? Man, that kinda sounds like a hobby to me.”

“But they’re still—still not unique! Anyone can read a book and, hell, you hum when you drive, too!” Pony’s fists clench and unclench, unclench and clench. “These colleges are searching for someone that stands out, but I’m just any darn chip off another boring block.”

“Maybe you really ‘ought to say shopliftin’, then,” Two-Bit jokes. He stands up, dusting bits of ash off his worn jeans.

“All those socs at school probably know exactly what to write,” Pony says, slumping down. His anger leaves as quickly as it came, but a worse, paralyzing exhaustion takes its place. “They’re gonna say they ride unicycles while baking cupcakes or play the flute in some renowned symphonic orchestra.”

“I bet no Soc can write about the sunset and Gone With the Wind and humming the same way as you, though.” He pats Pony’s head once, twice. He has to reach a little–Pony’s almost taller than him, at this point. “And trust me, I might hum, but I ain’t do it as bad as you.” 

“As..as bad as me?” Pony repeats slowly. He blinks even slower, as if the words were still processing in his head. “You better watch out, Mathews–” 

But Two-Bit is already scurrying back into the house, undoubtedly finding an older Curtis to hide behind.

[cinderebee]

another update, bc apparently i'm incapable of posting anything other than updates recently LMAO i was accepted to my dream college!!!!!! i’m so so happy and so so grateful. im planning on visiting soon <3 <3

[cinderebee]

christ, i am so sorry for being dead guys! i've been working on a 10 minute play for the past two months now, and it's going to be performed by professional actors at the end of this month <3 <3 i'm super excited, will be sending pictures!!!! also, will be getting back to working on outsiders art (mostly crossovers, ive gotten super into andy weir's work and i wanna make AUSSS)

[cinderebee]

i’ve been doing a lot of playwriting recently for various programs and i’m realizing that i’m lowkey deathly afraid of criticism (specifically on my writing, im actually quite ok w everything else) 😭😭😭

[cinderebee]

they are soooo precious god not them sleeping on top of each other like a stack of clothes hello 😭 thank u sm!!

curtis brothers bonding

happy valentine's day!! as a submitted post, here's @frogtowne's gift for @cinderebee!! they hope u enjoy ur gift <33

After a long day, his car breaking down in the middle of the street and being yelled at by customers, Darrel was ready to be home. The second he opened the door he dropped his bag from the sudden noise-

“Man, if you don’t stop cheating-” Ponyboy hollered at Soda

“I ain’t, not my fault you can’t play” he jeered at Pony.

Darry took his time setting down his jacket and peeling off his shoes “If you can’t win, just say that” Darrel laughed before continuing “he ain’t cheating cause he don’t need to win against you”.

Darry soon melts into his chair as the boys dominate the kitchen table with their blackjack poker game. Darrel fumbles with the remote trying to turn on the TV as Soda and Pony giggle

“What’s so funny?” Darrel smirks still messing with the remote

“We have the batteries” Soda laughs before tossing the batteries back.

Soon the younger two’s game ended and they sat on the edges of the recliner “Gimme the remote” Soda yawned as he reached across Darrel

“Fat chance” he scowled continuing to watch the news.

As Ponyboy fell asleep to the boring news Soda was playing with Darrel’s hair “You ever think of getting a haircut?” He yawned sleepily

“I think about how stupid my younger brothers are” Darrel whispered to not wake up Pony who was drooling all over Darrel’s shirt.

By 8 in the morning tomorrow the boys were all passed out on top of each other only to be awoken by Darrel’s alarm.

[cinderebee]

cherrycola or transfem soda? no, cherrycola AND transfem soda 🥤 (CLICK SECOND PHOTO TO SEE FULL TEXT BTW)

cherry would totally do her makeup for her hellllooooo

for @trevination ! have a LOVELY valentine’s day hon

@outsiders-gift-exchanges

[cinderebee]

FINISHED READING TEX

i’m thinking about how tex lost negrito (not just a friend but a way of GOING, traveling) and was hence destined to be someone who stayed even before the whole prophecy at the fair like man

[cinderebee]

finished reading the martian a couple days ago. mark watney is such a force to be reckoned with but i just rly wish there was some diving into his backstory and a reason for his disturbingly strong mental fortitude.

instead, it feels like he’s given humor and strength and an A+ on his psychological examination simply to ensure that he can properly explain how he survives on mars and hammer in the science part of science fiction. also cus it’s a natural part of andy weir’s writing style and i love it lol but that’s a diff matter entirely.

it’s rly interesting but i can’t help but feel that for such a scientifically accurate book, the psychological effects of what’s basically solitary confinement would be explored LOL

thank god for fanfiction writers who pour their heart into piecing tgt a backstory for him 😭😭🙏

[cinderebee]

THIS SANDY DESIGN IS CANON TO ME i love it

I redrew my designs for all the girls in the outsiders! It was pretty fun.

Think I might redo Sylvia's tho idk. My favorite is probably Sandy's design, I really enjoyed doing her makeup, Evie's too.

[cinderebee]

some parts of watching the outsiders that i found super cool yesterday

-during the pouring rain scene w/ the choreographed fight some of the actors were making quiet hitting sound effects (pew boom pow) as they pretended to fight each other LMAO it was sending me

-u can hear melody rose SUPER well when she sings…her voice just stands out sm and it’s amazing

-before the rumble darry & paul have their whole thing and darry goes “skin fight? skin fights are my favorite kind of fight” or smthing along those lines like hmm….

-some of the water kept on dripping from the ceiling onto the stage even after the rumble was over, and it happened to drip RIGHT ON TOP of johnny as he was. lying on a hospital bed. dying. u can see him flinching veeery slightly in the beginning when it was dripping on him and then he just got used to it HELP

anyway i 🩷 the outsiders musical

[cinderebee]

stunning. simply stunning. i have so many thoughts about the little new details i noticed from sitting closer to the stage. but, god, they stun me every time.

[cinderebee]

my designs for the Shepard gang

Their names in order

:Manny, or “Tiff”

:Chris, or “spark”

:Juliet, or “trap”

:Anthony, of “ant”

And the Shepards ig…

[cinderebee]

had some free time and finished up my piece for the fandom exchange so sneak peek 🙏

[cinderebee]

hell’s kitchen was so good!! i love how they explored the mother-daughter relationship ahHHH

and the theme of those who leave and those who stay…i am always a sucker for stories about moving on, being unable to move on, or being forced to move on. it just strikes a special chord w me

[cinderebee]

hey so I was thinking and idk if this exists already and also idk if the outsiders fandom is big enough, but would anyone else wanna do a big bang?

edit: there's a poll in the reblogs, please vote there so I can see whether it would be at least kinda balanced between artists and writers (and reblog for bigger sample size please)

[cinderebee]

johnny & dally’s dynamic is actually everything to me and i can’t believe i didn’t draw them tgt until now

(btw they’re *platonic* soulmates in my eyes 🩷🩷🩷🩷)