The Outsiders/Sailor Moon fanfic
Title: Sixties' Sweethearts
Rating: PG-13/Teen
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone mentioned or referenced or anything in this fic.
Pairing: Two-Bit/Ami
Summary: In which Ami is embarrassed and Two-Bit is persistent.
Two-Bit Matthews sat hunched on the hood of his car with his heels solidly balanced on the front bumper. He squinted his eyes in the dying light and took one last drag from his cigarette. He flicked away the spent butt with a slight frown and started patting down his jacket. That couldn't have been his last cancer stick - he bought a new pack just yesterday afternoon. Though, that was before he spent a night in jail with Sodapop. He went in to the joint with a full pack and went out with a half-empty one. Those damn cops were stealing his cigarettes; Two-Bit was sure of it.
With an exaggeratedly huffy sigh, he folded his arms across his chest and scowled at the library across the street. How long did it take one girl to get a book? He shook his head and sighed again. What a perfect time to run outta smokes.
“Hey Two-Bit,” was the only warning he received as two people joined him in staring across the street. “What's up, man?” He cocked one eyebrow and slid off the hood of his car easily as he tried to look like he wasn't waiting.
“Hey Ponyboy.” He acknowledged easily as he jammed his hands in his pockets. “You got a cancer stick? I'm all out.” As Ponyboy searched his pockets, Two-Bit turned to the second intruder, a relatively short blonde girl with a bizarre pig-tailed hairstyle. “Hey Serena. You hear Soda's been released?”
“Yup,” she smiled widely at the mention of her boyfriend and rocked back and forth on her heels with her hands clasped behind her back, “Ponyboy and me are gonna go visit him at work. Feel like giving us a ride?”
“Thanks Pony,” Two-Bit took the cigarette gratefully and lit it immediately. He inhaled deeply as he turned back to Serena, “any other day, and I'd be more than happy to escort you two kiddies to the grand ol' DX. But, as it is, I'm waiting for someone.”
“Oh yeah?” Ponyboy asked as Serena elbowed him in the ribs conspiratorially, “anyone we know?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.” He paused for dramatic effect and another drag. “And my very reliable sources tell me that they're right over there, in that building,” Two-Bit pointed with his smoking cigarette to the library; its illuminated windows glowed warmly in the evening.
“Why don't you go in there and get 'em, then?” Serena asked, tugging on her pigtails. “That'd be easier than just waiting out here, huh?”
“He can't,” Pony supplied with a smirk, “he's banned from the library.” His gray-green eyes shined with mischief and Two-Bit returned the grin.
“You are not!” Gasped the single female as she stared incredulously at Two-Bit who, for his part, looked oddly proud. He scratched at his sideburns and looked at Serena from the corner of his eye.
“Build one fort outta the encyclopedias and you're banned for life.” Serena started laughing in outright disbelief and he smiled privately to himself as he took another drag from the cigarette. The nicotine and the conversation really helped to calm his nerves.
“Hey!” Serena cut off her own giggles as she pointed across the street. “Is that them?” Sure enough, a slight, feminine figure was making its way out of the library.
“Yup, that's her,” Two-Bit inhaled once more on the cancer stick before giving it to Ponyboy to finish. “Gotta go - you kids be careful walkin' to the DX, okay?” He all but vaulted over the hood of his car in his haste.
“Sure thing,” Ponyboy called after him as Serena cocked her head. “What?”
“Nothing... she just looks really familiar... Is that who I think it is?”
“Maybe,” Pony grinned to himself as he steered her down the street. “Two-Bit's been after her for weeks now.”
“Is he serious about her? 'Cause she's my friend,” she whispered as they walked, “and if he's not, I'll kill 'im.”
“I think he's serious,” he shrugged and folded his arms behind his head, “I mean, he doesn't smoke around her. That's gotta say something.”
Two-Bit, for his part, wasn't paying any attention as he left the kids and dashed across the street, almost getting himself run over in the process. He flipped off the driver and hopped over the curb before stuttering to a stop in front of a delicate looking girl with blue hair and an arms full of books.
“Hi Amy,” he greeted her with a chivalrous bow as he inclined his head ever-so-slightly. Amy blushed and pulled the novels tighter to her chest.
“Good evening... Two-Bit,” she replied haltingly. It had been the hardest for her to call him by his preferred nickname.
“Oh, here,” Two-Bit tried to take the books from her, “let me carry those for ya.”
“That's quite all right,” she declined primly with her head held high, “I can manage by myself.”
“Aww, c'mon Amycakes,” Two-Bit cajoled as she started walking away. “What's wrong?”
“I heard you were arrested again, Keith,” Amy pointed out, not even bothering to look over her shoulder to see if he was following. It didn't take much for him to catch up to and fall in step with her.
“So? Soda was arrested too and -” He tried to explain.
“Sodapop has Serena to deal with,” Amy reminded him. “You should count yourself lucky that I'm not as loud as she is,” she muttered as she tried to pick up the pace. It was easy for him to match her speed and she frowned when he once again caught up with her. She gave him a sidelong glance as she walked, “Two-Bit, what did you even do to get arrested?” She paused and shook her head, “never mind, that's a stupid question. Considering your habits, it's not something I'd want to know. Don't tell me.”
“Now hang on there,” Two-Bit implored, clearly offended by her insinuations. He took a gentle hold of her elbow to insure that she didn't run off. “I didn't get picked up for stealing. Hell, you know I wouldn't get caught stealing - I'm too good for that, baby.” Amy rolled her eyes as he winked before continuing. “Me and Soda, we were just fooling around. We were doing gymnastics, like handstands and back flips, that kind of thing. That's all.”
“Gymnastics,” Amy repeated skeptically. “The police arrested you for doing gymnastics. I don't believe that, Keith.” She rewarded his honesty with a decidedly dirty look. “The police have better things to do than arrest a couple hoods walking on their hands, especially in this town.”
“I know!” He threw his hands up in the air, “that's what I said! There is so much worse stuff we could've been doing. Shoot, they should give us a medal! You'd think they'd count it a blessing. You wanna know what they said?” He didn't even wait for her to reply before exploding with, “they said we were disturbing the peace! Can you believe it, Ames?”
The way she arched an eyebrow at him said, quite clearly, that she could indeed believe it and she did, in fact, believe it. “C'mon baby, don't be like that.” Two-Bit tried to put his arm around her but she shook him off and turned her head away, refusing to look at him.
They walked a little while longer in silence. It was far from comfortable or companionable. Two-Bit gnawed on the inside of his cheek and wondered if he remembered to lock his car. They were a good few blocks away from where he had parked and he couldn't help glancing over his shoulder to check to see if his car was still there. If he squinted well enough, he could almost make out the shadowy shape of what could've been his Plymouth.
His attention, short as its span was, was brought back to the present when Amy suddenly stopped and stood in front of him in the middle of the sidewalk. She toed at the cement and stared at her feet as her fingers tightened around the edges of her books. It took her a few moments to finally look him in the face. Her knuckles were nervous white and she couldn't meet his eyes for more than a second at a time.
“What is it, Amy?” He demanded gruffly, jamming his hands in his pockets and unconsciously tracing the shape of his switchblade.
She spent another moment taking a deep breath before finally blurting, “why do you spend time with me?”
“Come again?” He asked with no real intention of making her repeat her question. “Why do I spend time with you? Shoot doll,” he laughed, trying to break the tension, “you should be asking yourself that.” He moved to walk around her and continue their aimless meander but she held strong.
“I'm serious, Keith.” He cringed. Again with that name!
“Why do you gotta go and call me that?” He groused, mentally patting himself on the back when she smiled faintly. It was her first smile all evening.
“Because it's your name,” she reminded him gently, “and I'm still waiting. Why do you hang out with me?” Her delicate smile turned self-deprecating as she resumed walking. Two-Bit followed after her, listening as she formed her own counter-argument.
“I'm not your usual kind of girl. For one thing, I'm not blonde,” she glanced up at her blue bangs, “I yell at you for shoplifting and getting arrested. I have as many books as you have exes. And, while you've probably never cracked a book in your life, I've never been on a date.” She admitted the last part quietly, defeatedly, as she focused on her sneakers; they were blinding white in the inky darkness. “But really, we've got nothing in common. So, why do you spend time with me?” Amy stopped again and looked him full in the face, expecting a serious answer.
Two-Bit cleared his throat nervously. Amy's questions and observations were honestly things he had been wondering himself. Why did he spend time with her? It wasn't just that some of his buddies were dating some of her girlfriends - it was more than a relationship of civil convenience. He'd hated plenty of Evie's and even Sandy's friends.
What was so damn endearing about the little bookworm that he went out of his way to bump into her in the halls? Why did he then walk her to class, making sure to glare pointedly at any soc who happened to be scowling in their direction? And what made him always promise to meet her for lunch, so she could drive off campus with him and the boys, even though she just sat in the back next to Ponyboy, reading a book? How did her quiet presence intrigue him more than any other rowdy broad's he met at Buck's or the Dingo?
And then, as he looked at her looking at him, Two-Bit realized what it was and he could've laughed at the simplicity of the situation.
“Shoot, doll,” he kicked at the sidewalk with an aw shucks shrug, “I spend time with you because I wanna.” He looked up at her through his eyelashes with a grin that was the definition of mischievous.
“But why?” She almost whined and, had it been any other girl, it would've annoyed him. But this was Amy and Amy always asked questions because she liked answers.
“Do I need a reason?” He quipped and slid an arm around her shoulder. She didn't shrug it off this time, and he celebrated the small victory. “I just like you - like being around ya', and that's all there is to it.”
“Why do you like me, though? It just doesn't make sense!” It was really bothering her - this whole not being logical thing. Personally, he found it amusing. Already, he could tell that this them thing was going to be a lot of fun.
“Does it have to make sense, baby doll? Do I need a reason to dig you? Do I need a reason to want to see you in the hall or walk you to class or kiss you at your locker? I just wanna do those things 'cause, well... I don't know. I just do.” Two-Bit shrugged, embarrassed when she didn't say anything.
Finally, Amy licked her lips and stammered, “you want... to kiss me?” Her voice was small and shy and he laughed as he pulled her closer.
“Yup,” he admitted cheerfully as he leaned his cheek against the top of her head, “and you better not ask me why.”
Rating: PG-13/Teen
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone mentioned or referenced or anything in this fic.
Pairing: Two-Bit/Ami
Summary: In which Ami is embarrassed and Two-Bit is persistent.
Two-Bit Matthews sat hunched on the hood of his car with his heels solidly balanced on the front bumper. He squinted his eyes in the dying light and took one last drag from his cigarette. He flicked away the spent butt with a slight frown and started patting down his jacket. That couldn't have been his last cancer stick - he bought a new pack just yesterday afternoon. Though, that was before he spent a night in jail with Sodapop. He went in to the joint with a full pack and went out with a half-empty one. Those damn cops were stealing his cigarettes; Two-Bit was sure of it.
With an exaggeratedly huffy sigh, he folded his arms across his chest and scowled at the library across the street. How long did it take one girl to get a book? He shook his head and sighed again. What a perfect time to run outta smokes.
“Hey Two-Bit,” was the only warning he received as two people joined him in staring across the street. “What's up, man?” He cocked one eyebrow and slid off the hood of his car easily as he tried to look like he wasn't waiting.
“Hey Ponyboy.” He acknowledged easily as he jammed his hands in his pockets. “You got a cancer stick? I'm all out.” As Ponyboy searched his pockets, Two-Bit turned to the second intruder, a relatively short blonde girl with a bizarre pig-tailed hairstyle. “Hey Serena. You hear Soda's been released?”
“Yup,” she smiled widely at the mention of her boyfriend and rocked back and forth on her heels with her hands clasped behind her back, “Ponyboy and me are gonna go visit him at work. Feel like giving us a ride?”
“Thanks Pony,” Two-Bit took the cigarette gratefully and lit it immediately. He inhaled deeply as he turned back to Serena, “any other day, and I'd be more than happy to escort you two kiddies to the grand ol' DX. But, as it is, I'm waiting for someone.”
“Oh yeah?” Ponyboy asked as Serena elbowed him in the ribs conspiratorially, “anyone we know?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.” He paused for dramatic effect and another drag. “And my very reliable sources tell me that they're right over there, in that building,” Two-Bit pointed with his smoking cigarette to the library; its illuminated windows glowed warmly in the evening.
“Why don't you go in there and get 'em, then?” Serena asked, tugging on her pigtails. “That'd be easier than just waiting out here, huh?”
“He can't,” Pony supplied with a smirk, “he's banned from the library.” His gray-green eyes shined with mischief and Two-Bit returned the grin.
“You are not!” Gasped the single female as she stared incredulously at Two-Bit who, for his part, looked oddly proud. He scratched at his sideburns and looked at Serena from the corner of his eye.
“Build one fort outta the encyclopedias and you're banned for life.” Serena started laughing in outright disbelief and he smiled privately to himself as he took another drag from the cigarette. The nicotine and the conversation really helped to calm his nerves.
“Hey!” Serena cut off her own giggles as she pointed across the street. “Is that them?” Sure enough, a slight, feminine figure was making its way out of the library.
“Yup, that's her,” Two-Bit inhaled once more on the cancer stick before giving it to Ponyboy to finish. “Gotta go - you kids be careful walkin' to the DX, okay?” He all but vaulted over the hood of his car in his haste.
“Sure thing,” Ponyboy called after him as Serena cocked her head. “What?”
“Nothing... she just looks really familiar... Is that who I think it is?”
“Maybe,” Pony grinned to himself as he steered her down the street. “Two-Bit's been after her for weeks now.”
“Is he serious about her? 'Cause she's my friend,” she whispered as they walked, “and if he's not, I'll kill 'im.”
“I think he's serious,” he shrugged and folded his arms behind his head, “I mean, he doesn't smoke around her. That's gotta say something.”
Two-Bit, for his part, wasn't paying any attention as he left the kids and dashed across the street, almost getting himself run over in the process. He flipped off the driver and hopped over the curb before stuttering to a stop in front of a delicate looking girl with blue hair and an arms full of books.
“Hi Amy,” he greeted her with a chivalrous bow as he inclined his head ever-so-slightly. Amy blushed and pulled the novels tighter to her chest.
“Good evening... Two-Bit,” she replied haltingly. It had been the hardest for her to call him by his preferred nickname.
“Oh, here,” Two-Bit tried to take the books from her, “let me carry those for ya.”
“That's quite all right,” she declined primly with her head held high, “I can manage by myself.”
“Aww, c'mon Amycakes,” Two-Bit cajoled as she started walking away. “What's wrong?”
“I heard you were arrested again, Keith,” Amy pointed out, not even bothering to look over her shoulder to see if he was following. It didn't take much for him to catch up to and fall in step with her.
“So? Soda was arrested too and -” He tried to explain.
“Sodapop has Serena to deal with,” Amy reminded him. “You should count yourself lucky that I'm not as loud as she is,” she muttered as she tried to pick up the pace. It was easy for him to match her speed and she frowned when he once again caught up with her. She gave him a sidelong glance as she walked, “Two-Bit, what did you even do to get arrested?” She paused and shook her head, “never mind, that's a stupid question. Considering your habits, it's not something I'd want to know. Don't tell me.”
“Now hang on there,” Two-Bit implored, clearly offended by her insinuations. He took a gentle hold of her elbow to insure that she didn't run off. “I didn't get picked up for stealing. Hell, you know I wouldn't get caught stealing - I'm too good for that, baby.” Amy rolled her eyes as he winked before continuing. “Me and Soda, we were just fooling around. We were doing gymnastics, like handstands and back flips, that kind of thing. That's all.”
“Gymnastics,” Amy repeated skeptically. “The police arrested you for doing gymnastics. I don't believe that, Keith.” She rewarded his honesty with a decidedly dirty look. “The police have better things to do than arrest a couple hoods walking on their hands, especially in this town.”
“I know!” He threw his hands up in the air, “that's what I said! There is so much worse stuff we could've been doing. Shoot, they should give us a medal! You'd think they'd count it a blessing. You wanna know what they said?” He didn't even wait for her to reply before exploding with, “they said we were disturbing the peace! Can you believe it, Ames?”
The way she arched an eyebrow at him said, quite clearly, that she could indeed believe it and she did, in fact, believe it. “C'mon baby, don't be like that.” Two-Bit tried to put his arm around her but she shook him off and turned her head away, refusing to look at him.
They walked a little while longer in silence. It was far from comfortable or companionable. Two-Bit gnawed on the inside of his cheek and wondered if he remembered to lock his car. They were a good few blocks away from where he had parked and he couldn't help glancing over his shoulder to check to see if his car was still there. If he squinted well enough, he could almost make out the shadowy shape of what could've been his Plymouth.
His attention, short as its span was, was brought back to the present when Amy suddenly stopped and stood in front of him in the middle of the sidewalk. She toed at the cement and stared at her feet as her fingers tightened around the edges of her books. It took her a few moments to finally look him in the face. Her knuckles were nervous white and she couldn't meet his eyes for more than a second at a time.
“What is it, Amy?” He demanded gruffly, jamming his hands in his pockets and unconsciously tracing the shape of his switchblade.
She spent another moment taking a deep breath before finally blurting, “why do you spend time with me?”
“Come again?” He asked with no real intention of making her repeat her question. “Why do I spend time with you? Shoot doll,” he laughed, trying to break the tension, “you should be asking yourself that.” He moved to walk around her and continue their aimless meander but she held strong.
“I'm serious, Keith.” He cringed. Again with that name!
“Why do you gotta go and call me that?” He groused, mentally patting himself on the back when she smiled faintly. It was her first smile all evening.
“Because it's your name,” she reminded him gently, “and I'm still waiting. Why do you hang out with me?” Her delicate smile turned self-deprecating as she resumed walking. Two-Bit followed after her, listening as she formed her own counter-argument.
“I'm not your usual kind of girl. For one thing, I'm not blonde,” she glanced up at her blue bangs, “I yell at you for shoplifting and getting arrested. I have as many books as you have exes. And, while you've probably never cracked a book in your life, I've never been on a date.” She admitted the last part quietly, defeatedly, as she focused on her sneakers; they were blinding white in the inky darkness. “But really, we've got nothing in common. So, why do you spend time with me?” Amy stopped again and looked him full in the face, expecting a serious answer.
Two-Bit cleared his throat nervously. Amy's questions and observations were honestly things he had been wondering himself. Why did he spend time with her? It wasn't just that some of his buddies were dating some of her girlfriends - it was more than a relationship of civil convenience. He'd hated plenty of Evie's and even Sandy's friends.
What was so damn endearing about the little bookworm that he went out of his way to bump into her in the halls? Why did he then walk her to class, making sure to glare pointedly at any soc who happened to be scowling in their direction? And what made him always promise to meet her for lunch, so she could drive off campus with him and the boys, even though she just sat in the back next to Ponyboy, reading a book? How did her quiet presence intrigue him more than any other rowdy broad's he met at Buck's or the Dingo?
And then, as he looked at her looking at him, Two-Bit realized what it was and he could've laughed at the simplicity of the situation.
“Shoot, doll,” he kicked at the sidewalk with an aw shucks shrug, “I spend time with you because I wanna.” He looked up at her through his eyelashes with a grin that was the definition of mischievous.
“But why?” She almost whined and, had it been any other girl, it would've annoyed him. But this was Amy and Amy always asked questions because she liked answers.
“Do I need a reason?” He quipped and slid an arm around her shoulder. She didn't shrug it off this time, and he celebrated the small victory. “I just like you - like being around ya', and that's all there is to it.”
“Why do you like me, though? It just doesn't make sense!” It was really bothering her - this whole not being logical thing. Personally, he found it amusing. Already, he could tell that this them thing was going to be a lot of fun.
“Does it have to make sense, baby doll? Do I need a reason to dig you? Do I need a reason to want to see you in the hall or walk you to class or kiss you at your locker? I just wanna do those things 'cause, well... I don't know. I just do.” Two-Bit shrugged, embarrassed when she didn't say anything.
Finally, Amy licked her lips and stammered, “you want... to kiss me?” Her voice was small and shy and he laughed as he pulled her closer.
“Yup,” he admitted cheerfully as he leaned his cheek against the top of her head, “and you better not ask me why.”