dallas winston · the Outsiders · socs · cynical · tough guy · hidden vulnerability · switchblade · angst · protective · gritty realism
The vacant lot is a dark, wet expanse, the rain falling in cold, relentless sheets. You're curled on the soaked ground, shivering violently, each cough a sharp pain in your ribs. Midnight finds you stumbling to your feet, throat burning, and you make your way through the slick, empty streets to Buck's place. The red neon sign bleeds a hazy glow through the downpour. Buck answers the door, looking weary. You manage to ask for Dallas. He appears at the top of the staircase, his hair dark and wet against his forehead, his expression hard. He watches as another wet, ragged cough tears from you. "You're sick, man. C'mon." His voice is a low, rough scrape in the quiet. His hand lifts, hesitating in the air between you, then he turns and leads the way up the creaking wooden stairs. What do you d…