A/N – Pony/Johnny slash. Later mature.

Ponyboy could never forget how he met the love of his life, Johnny. It was an early spring day, and the blossoms were just starting to come in. He'd been playing at the park with his brothers and his parents when he'd spotted a boy laying down sleeping on a wooden park bench. Soda, Dar, and Dad were playing football, so they wouldn't notice he was gone. Mom was knitting on a blanket. A curious 8-year-old Pony slowly crept over and sat. He sat as if waiting for his presence to wake the small, dark boy. But the boy was out cold. He was dressed in tattered light blue jeans and a faded flannel. Pony observed the purplish bruises decorating the boy's face. He scooted closer the 10-year-old boy and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Woah…" Ponyboy's mouth fell open as he traced the bruises.

Suddenly, big, brown eyes flew open and watered.

"Hey…hey what's wrong?" Pony's small voice squeaked.

The boy seemed to calm down when he noticed Pony's non-threatening appearance. Pony was clad in dark blue overalls – a size too big, with one strap falling of his shoulder, a yellow t-shirt, and some white Velcro shoes. He stood up from the bench, ungreased hair flowing a bit. He teetered on one foot, biting his cheeks. The boy sat up and stared at him, a little apprehensive about the little company. Pony's green eyes sparkled as he stared at the raven haired boy.

"What happened all over yur face," Pony inclined quietly

"Nothin', kid. Just a street fight is all," the bruised boy mumbled.

Pony had heard about street fights. He's heard his parents talking about hood kids always going home with injuries and whatnot.

"Well… I'm sure Momma could fix ya up. She's a school nurse," Pony grinned and beamed with pride in his mother's job.

"Hah, no thank you…" the boy looked down shamefully.

"MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!" Pony yelled up into the sky, fists and eyes clenched. He then stared at Johnny, grinning.

Just seconds after, four shadows came walking up.

"Ponyboy, who ya talkin' to – Huh! – Adam, get the first aid," Mrs. Curtis quickly implored.

Mr. Curtis headed over to their blanket. An 11-year-old Sodapop appeared worried while Darry remained calm. But, if you looked closely, you could see a glint of fear in his icy blue eyes.

"It's okay sweetie, we're gonna get you taken care of…what's your name, hun?"

"J-Johnny… Johnny Cade"

Pony's mouth watered at the sudden thought of cake,"Mmm…Johnny Cake… Johnny chocolate cake, Johnny strawberry cake, Johnny cupcake… Johnny…"

Sodapop sat down next to the beaten boy and put an arm around him, gave him a reassuring smile, and a hand squeeze. Johnny could faintly hear the Mrs. Curtis asking him questions.

"Who did this … Where are your parents … Where do you live …"

Johnny just stared at Pony. Pony started feeling uncomfortable and looked down, putting his hands in his giant overall pockets.

After Johnny begged to not be taken anywhere, the Curtis family left him on the bench with a jacket and a chicken salad sandwich. Before they had to leave, Pony handed Johnny a scrap of paper. It had blue crayon scrawled all over it.

It read, Come to our howse any tym, Jonny Cake. Bye!" Johnny laughed at the smiley face scribbled in the corner.

"Thank you, Ponyboy…"

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The breeze rushed through Pony's greased hair as he strutted down the street on his way home from his track meet. School was getting to be too much for him, so he lit a cigarette. The track meet lasted until nine, so it was dark out. He won first place twice and second place once. Neither Darry nor Soda could make it…having to work and all… Not surprisingly, he spotted a shivering lump of jean in an abandoned parking lot. He jogged over to none other than Johnny. Johnny was awake, but he looked like he was daydreaming. His brown eyes were hazy. Pony crouched down next to the curled up figure. The silver moon illuminated Johnny for a moment. Pony started to cry when he saw that Johnny's face was all cut up and bloody.

"What're you doin' out here, Johnnycake…What're doin', huh?" Ponyboy held back a sob as he draped his jacket over Johnny.

"Why didn't you go to school, huh? You gotta go to school… Why didn't you go to my house?"

Johnny croaked, "I didn't want to bother you guys, y'know after your parents and whatnot."

Pony lay down next to Johnny and curled against his back. His heart sped up as he wrapped an arm around Johnny, and pressed his front against his back. He scolded himself for his unholy thoughts at this time. But, hey, it's not every day you get to be this close the one your secretly in love with.

"You know you can come to our house anytime, Johnnycake."

Thanks for reading.

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