AN: Man, you guys make me feel loved and crap.
Long story short, I kinda just spent a long day at school and it was just..meh. Our Two Bit and Pony kept me well occupied during second block drama class during rehearsals. Then the middle school's Two Bit and Dally kept me talking after school and stuff. Man, I miss hanging out with their Dal...who happens to be my girlfriend.. Meh. Then I got handed a box set of the Lord of the Rings series to read. It's fun. But, that's how things've been working out. And I can't shake people. They keep calling me Johnny at school, even my teachers. It's really sad, 'cause most of them don't got a clue how close they are to my past when they do that. I hate it.
Anyway, yeah, that's just a quick catch up, if anyone cares.
To those who reviewed:
Guest: Definitely continuing it, as well as working on other stories for this. I'll try to make longer chapters.
Johnny-and-Ponyboy-Forver: Username's adorable, by the way. Working on it.
PinkAmy: Glad you like it. This soon enough?
Enjoy.
The following morning, Johnny woke up to Mickey Mouse playing on the television and the room being full of soft chatter.
He blinked, mumbling under his breath as he sat up.
Someone caught his shoulders. "Don't you dare get up."
Darry.
Johnny frowned. "Hm?"he asked. "What's going on?"
"You kept him worried."Sodapop said. "Coughing all night like ya did. He's worried you're getting sick,"
"Nah, I'm fine."Johnny said, shifting to sit up.
Ponyboy grinned at Johnny, getting up and coming back witha piece of chocolate cake for the elder teen.
"Thanks, man."Johnny said.
Once the morning passed, Darry kept a close eye on him, but allowed him up.
Soon as that happened, he disappeared out the door with Pony.
As soon as they were gone, Soda looked at Darry. "You really care for the kid, huh?"he said. "You're acting like you're his dad or something, all concerned."
"He needs someone like that."Darry commented.
Soda nodded in agreement.
When the two boys showed back up, it was after dark, and they looked like hell. All the gang was back around, chattering away as they waited on the two teens.
Soon as they walked in, Two Bit spoke up. "What happened to the two of you? You look like you've been mauled by some animal."
Johnny gave a weak glare, and Darry glowered at the jokester, ushering both boys to a seat. Pony shook his head. "I'm alright. Johnny took one hell of a beating, though."he said softly.
Darry nodded, and Soda shot up to get the first aid kit they kept. Had to, what with the Socs jumping them all the time. It was needed. All of them with a steady home kept one for the others in case they showed up in a state.
Darry took it when it was offered and silence fell.
They were too used to this, and it was horrible that they were so used to it, but there wasn't a thing they could do.
Johnny crashed there again that night, and this time it was him who was up with nightmares instead of Pony.
After about two times of being woke up to whimpers from Johnny, Darry just stayed in the living room with him, making sure to let him know that he was safe.
He felt like a dad, but he wasn't complaining. His boys meant the world to him. And Johnny was one of them. One of the ones that was a bit more damaged, with more baggage, but they were all so worth it in his opinion.
He was gone the next morning for work when Johnny woke up.
But Sodapop gave him the message of 'see you after work, Johnnycake,' as he left for work himself.
That's when it really sunk in that they meant it when they said that this place was his home.
Still, it was so weird for him. He'd never really had a place he felt safe calling home. It was strange knowing that he had that place now. But he wasn't gonna trade it for the world.
Here ya go, guys. But I gotta get off the computer when I upload this. Time crunch for me. Any challenges you guys wanna see filled for this while I'm stuck in writing mode for Outsiders? I'd be more than willing to take on a good challenge or two. Just let me know.
Stay Gold.