A/N: Well here we are with a Curly x Johnny story. Yes you read that right. Curly Shepard x Johnny Cade. A multi-chapter story focusing on the building relationship between these two.

I do not own the characters

Reviews are welcome and greatly appreciated.

Johnny adjusted himself against the worn leather seats that had been discarded in the lot, dragging over another page of newspaper over his body in a sad attempt to warm himself. He sniffled as he tried to take a deep breathe, his lungs expanding with sharp, cold air that he slowly let out in a long sigh.

His parents had been fighting, not a big surprise really. He was just surprised that it had taken so long for one to start. Of course his first plan of action was to head over to the Curtis's, but upon arriving he had heard Darry yelling at Pony for something. That had made him reconsider his choices and he opted for the lot tonight.

He was sure Darry had a good reason for fighting with Pony. Unlike his parents who just seemed to want to yell at him or ignore his existence. But Darry wasn't like them. He was always working hard to keep Soda and Pony in the family, they were all they had left. Maybe Ponyboy stayed out too late or something, he reasoned. God knows he would never tell Ponyboy these things since his friend had a habit of blowing up whenever someone tried to tell him something different about his oldest brother.

Johnny rubbed his hands between his thighs to create more heat. It was sure chilly tonight to the young Greaser, and he huffed under his breath. The cold made it really hard to sleep sometimes.

Of course it was even harder to sleep when something grabs the back of your jacket and screams "GOT YA' HOOD" right in your ear. Johnny jolted and immediately swung his arm out to swat at his supposed attacker, quickly yanking himself up to his hands and knees and he jumped back, landing on his rear as he found himself looking up, meeting the devious gaze of one Curly Shepard. Said Shepard who was currently laughing, teeth exposed as he bent over slightly and slapped his hip.

"Holy shit man, your face! You sure you didn't piss yourself you little Grease?" He laughed again. Johnny drew in quick breathes as the Shepard gave him a once-over. "Heeeey I know you. Yer' that little Rabbit that tags behind Winston. Jessie right?"

"I-Its Johnny man.." Johnny managed to force out, sliding one leg under himself so that he had access to his pocket. "What are you doing here? There's not a rumble…or anything…right?"

"Nah nah! Just wandering, looking for some trouble. No one's homes tonight. Tim had a date with Winston. Since he so kindly scraped off Tim's paint job." Curly snickered to himself. "That guy is messed up." Curly then lowered himself, so that he was crouched down on Johnny's level. Johnny winced slightly but didn't want to break face. Curly Shepard was a tough, though not too bright, hoodlum that was a miniature Tim in the making. He had dark hair that was curled on the ends, with devious, daunting dark blue eyes, like his brother. Said eyes were looking him over, broad grin still in place.

"Man you sure are scrawny looking. Wonder why Winston lets you tag along.."

Despite the situation, and despite it being Curly Shepard, Johnny felt the impulse to snap at the other. "I-I ain't no tag-along. We're friends!"

Curly surprisingly ignored the small outburst. "What you doing out here kiddie? Waiting for a fight?"

Johnny shook his head. Really what business was it of Curly's what he was doing? And he took slight offense to being called a kid by someone who was a year younger then himself. "I ain't no kid. And I was sleeping."

"Sleeping?" It came out as a question as Curly eyed him, confusion crossing his features. He was a lot easier to read then his older brother Tim or Dallas. "Why you sleeping out here? Don't you got a home Rabbit?"

"Whats it to ya'!" Johnny snapped, feeling defensive. Curly simply raised his hands up in mock surrender.

"Just asked a question Rabbit. Bet you're freezing your ass off huh?"

"Maybe so but I'd rather be here then home…"

"You would huh? Folks hack off on you I'm guessing. Why not chill with Curtis. He's your little buddy right?" Curly quipped, actually shifting closer while lowering his hands and sticking one into the pocket of his leather jacket.

"He's busy…And I'm fine out here." Johnny grumbled, scooting over towards the leather seats he had been using as a bed just a little while ago. He slid himself on them as he fished for one of his smokes, making a odd squeaking noise as Curly flopped right next to him. He was kind of warm, Johnny noted.

"I think you're lying but hey, what do I know right?" He grinned again, looking around the lot, his hands dangling over his knees. He was tall, for a fifteen year old, with a small build. Curly scratched at his neck before returning his attention to Johnny. "So hey, why do you hang with Winston? You're a little goody kid like Curtis right?"

"None of your business!" Johnny snapped, his voice carrying a slight hiss to it, and immediately regretted it. Curly's eyes narrowed, and Johnny found his jaw clenched tightly in Curly's hand.

"Getting mouthy Rabbit? I said I was looking for trouble and you're over here just asking for a beating."

Johnny's eyes widened and he grabbed a hold of Curly's wrist with both his hands, trying to wrench his face away from the young Shepard's grip. It was to no avail, and he could only sit helplessly as Curly forced his head to the side, face hardened in concentration. Curly's grip went slack after a moment and he gave a low whistle.

"Maaaan Rabbit that is one tough scar. Wait, were you the one who got jumped by those Soc's a little while ago?" Curly then asked, tilting Johnny's face to the side to get a better look. Now that his jaw wasn't clasped in a iron grip he was able to shake Curly's hand off. He looked away from Curly then, absentmindedly running his fingers over his scar. He didn't like to think about that night, not ever.

"It was pretty big news, all things considered. Tim told me a kid in Curtis' outfit got beat pretty bad. Near death, what I heard."

Johnny kept silent, wishing that Curly would just stop talking. He didn't want to remember that night.

Curly continued on. "So I'm guessing it was you? Man, Winston was slashing tires left and right after that. Gotta say man, if you could live through something like that and still be out here then I guess I can count you tough in my book." Something about his tone, hinted in pride. Who would imagine, Curly Shepard proud that Johnny Cade could live through a brutal jumping by Soc's.

Johnny shook his head and lit one of his cigarettes, inhaling once and holding the smoke in for a bit, before he let it out in small puffs. Curly glanced at him.

"You got a spare Rabbit?"

Deciding that it was best not to get on Curly Shepard's bad side, Johnny handed him one of his cigarettes and his matches.

"Cool." Curly lit his cigarette up easily, leaning back against the seats as he took a long drag and let the smoke drift from his mouth into the night. He rubbed his free hand over his torn blue jeans, taking another drag and blowing it out near Johnny before letting out a laugh. "Will you quit hogging all this conversation here Rabbit? Can't even get my two-cents in."

Johnny rose an eyebrow in question at Curly's attempt at humor, but remained quiet. What was he supposed to say really? He barely spoke to his friends as it was.

"Well this has been fun. Now lets head to my place. Angel's off to her little friends and Tim won't be back until much later." Curly announced, slapping Johnny hard on his back.

Johnny choked on his cigarette smoke due to the forceful pat, and stared at Curly wide-eyed in disbelief. "W-What?"

"You heard me. You're coming to my place. Don't think too much on it Rabbit. Greasers help Greasers out right? My brother lets his gang crash at our place all the time, just like the Curtis's." Curly stood up then, dropping his cigarette onto the grass, not bothering to put it out.

Johnny was still staring at Curly, the fact that he was being invited to the Shepard's home was mind-wracking. "What?" He repeated. "Why man?"

Curly shrugged. "Cause I said so." An odd look crossed his features then, something like worry and discontent. "Look its not right for my place to be dead silent like it is. And don't you breathe a word of this, but I don't fancy being alone a lot. So stop being a pansy and follow me, got it?"

Johnny gulped as Curly extended his hand to him, wondering if getting involved in anything related to Curly Shepard was a good idea. He almost scoffed. Of course it wasn't, but Curly was one of those few people that it was hard to say no to.

"C'mon man. Its pretty warm there" He goaded, grabbing the sleeve of Johnny's faded denim jacket and giving a tug. "Look if you just tag along I'll owe ya okay?"

Maybe it was the temptation of warmth that drove Johnny to comply. Or maybe it was that confession Curly had made, about not wanting to be alone. Something Johnny himself could relate to. Whatever it was, it lead to Johnny putting out his cigarette and letting himself be dragged on his feet by Curly Shepard. He glanced at the young hood before he nodded.

"Okay." Was all he managed to grunt out, sticking his hands in his pockets. He realized just how cold it really was as the wind howled past them, adding to the chill that settled in Johnny's bones.

Curly grinned. "Good answer Rabbit."