*technically fanfiction. I read The Outsiders recently, saw this draft, and thought I’d make something funny out of it. Nothing serious. His only flaw is his name*

That is the finest man on the entire planet.

“Hey,” he says. HE HAS A DEEP VOICE TOO? “Uh… is there something on my face?” He leans back and swipes a hand across his jawline (_AND THAT JAWLINE!_)

_Yeah. The finest thing I have ever seen._

“Excuse me?” The man ponders, his gorgeous eyes staring at me with only amusement dancing in them.

Oh hell- did I say that out loud?

“Oh- I said that out loud, didn’t I?” I respond sheepishly, feeling all the blood in my body rush to my cheeks. “I’m so sorry. I know you’re not just ‘eye candy.’ Dang, I really am sorry. That was so disrespectful of m-”

“It’s okay. It might help you to know I was thinking the same thing except about you. You’re fine yourself,” he mumbles under his breath, his face turning bright red in embarrassment. A fine man with a deep voice, who isn't afraid to be honest, thinks I’m attractive, has beautiful eyes and a sharp jawline--

Did I just go to heaven?

What is his name?

I have to know.

This could be the perfect guy, but if I don’t have his name, what good is it?

“There’s no way you think _I’m_ fine. Have you seen yourself? You’re _waaaay_ too attractive to even look at me.”

“Nah- have you seen _yourself_?”

We banter a little bit longer before my brain finally finds a way to sneak in the ‘What’s your name’ card.

He pales instantly.

“Hm?” I nudge, simply humming to get the response I want.

He rubs a hand behind his neck, his fingers sliding into his brunette hair and pulling as if stressed. “Okay, you will not like my name as much as you claim you like my face.”

“Just spit it out already!”

“Pancake Curtis.”

A gasp leaves my mouth before it quickly dissolves into a giggle. “So I’ll be Mrs. Pancake Curtis? Sounds tempting. Do you happen to own that IHOP on 33rd?”

“Naw. My great-grandad liked to find some interesting names. My grandad’s name is Sodapop, and my great-uncle’s name is Ponyboy. Can’t tell if I got it better or worse.”

“_Definitely_ better. Wanna guess my name?”

“Uh- is it a normal name?”

“Define normal.”

“Typical, average?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“What is it?”

“Strawberry Valance.”