Disclaimer: In case you can't tell, I don't own The Outsiders or any of the characters associated with it.

A Place to Crash

Chapter 1

It was getting dark out and chilly. The idea of going home didn't appeal to Johnny, but it was too cold to sleep in the lot. He let himself into the Curtis's house, quietly. Hoping he wouldn't wake anyone up. He opted not to turn on the lights as he made his way to the couch from memory.

"Who is it?" a voice mumbled.

Johnny jumped slightly. He hadn't expected anyone else to be there. He squinted and made out a figure with white blonde hair curled up on the couch.

"Hey Dally. Where you been? Haven't seen you around the past few days." Johnny hoped is voice didn't betray how much he'd missed not seeing Dally around.

"Been lyin' low, kid, I…" Dally stopped as his words dissolved into a coughing fit.

Johnny knelt down awkwardly next to the couch. "You okay?"

Dally drew in a shaky breath. "Yeah, yeah. You come by lookin for a place to crash too?"

"Yeah, but the lot ain't that cold, I can stay there."

"Don't be stupid. It's freezing out." Dally pulled himself into a seated position and motioned for Johnny to sit next to him. "I wasn't sleepin anyhow."

Johnny sat down nervously. He liked having alone time with Dally.

"So whatcha been up to Johnnycakes?"

"Not much. School. My dad was drinking last night and when I got up this morning he was still at it, so I figured maybe it would be better to steer clear for a while."

"I dig." Dally pulled off the leather jacket he'd been wearing. "Hot in here, ain't it?"

Johnny shrugged.

"Did you want to sleep kid?" Dally asked, suddenly realizing that he might be keeping Johnny up.

"Naw, I'm okay."

"Turn on the lights then would ya?"

Johnny obediently did so. He sat back down and was able to get a better look at Dally. He looked like he hadn't shaved or brushed his hair in a week. But that was normal. His naturally pale skin was even lighter than usual though, and seemed to have an almost bluish tint. His cheeks were flushed though. Dally was sitting leaning against the arm of the couch with his feet drawn up to his chest. He noticed Johnny staring. "I look that bad kid?"

Johnny shook his head mutely.

Dally laughed harshly. "Yeah I do, s'okay." He looked exhausted and rested his chin on his knees.

"You're okay though?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah, yeah. A cold or somethin."

Dally shivered and put his jacket back on, annoyed. Johnny timidly reached his hand out and brushed it against Dally's forehead.

"You're real warm."

Dally shrugged. "Who you think you are? My mom? She didn't use her hand though. She used to kiss my forehead, see if I had a fever. Don't think I'd let you get away with that one though."

Johnny blushed a little. "You want me to get you an aspirin or something?"

"You know where they keep them?"

Johnny nodded.

"Get me a couple then would ya? And some water."

"Sure thing Dally." Johnny went into the kitchen and grabbed the whole bottle as well as a glass of water. He walked back into the living room and handed them to Dally.

"Thanks kid." Dally grabbed five aspirin and washed them down with the water.

"Can't you sleep?" Johnny asked.

"Weird dreams. You know, from the fever and shit."

"Oh." Johnny knew better than to ask about them if Dally didn't want to elaborate.

"So why'd you get kicked out?" Johnny asked.

Dally laughed. "Said my coughing was keepin him awake. I mean if he don't get a good night sleep how's he gonna be up for drinkin all day, right?"

Johnny nodded. He didn't understand how Dally could not care though.

"You're a good kid." Dally said sleepily, ruffling Johnny's hair.

Johnny grinned. He just wished Dally didn't always think of him as a kid. They were less than a year apart, but Dally didn't see it that way.

"Gonna try and sleep for awhile."

"Okay," Johnny said softly, and killed the lights. He was asleep almost immediately.

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