Alright! This was requested by Dramaholic74 and AlongTheBinding. I'm so sorry this one took me so long guys! It's been oddly busy. Anyway, it's up! I hope you like it!

Story Four

Johnny and Ponyboy

Ponyboy Curtis rolled over onto his side, closing his eyes. He had to sleep. It was a school night. Darry would kill him if he knew he was still awake. Pony rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling.

"Soda?" he whispered. "You awake?'

He was answered by some slight mumbling, letting him know his brother was out like a light. Sighing, Ponyboy slowly slid out of bed. He'd get a glass of water or something. Maybe he'd make some tea, like his mom used to do for him whenever he couldn't sleep. He felt an ache in his chest as he thought about her.

His parents had died only about two months ago. Darry had taken guardianship and right now things were interesting. They were all adjusting still. Darry was becoming more and more strict, stricter than their parents had been. He and Ponyboy didn't talk as much as they used to but he wouldn't call things bad. Not really, anyway. Right now their parents were always on all of their minds and no one wanted to talk about it. So no one really talked.

Besides, Darry barely had time for a conversation. He was adjusting to working so much and barely did anything besides eat, work, and sleep.

Slowly, Pony made his way down the hallway. He got his cup of water then sat on the couch, not bothering to turn on any lights. He felt someone underneath him, however, and jumped up, causing some of his water to splash out of the cup.

"Ponyboy?"

Pony looked down at the couch and grimaced at Johnny Cade. "Sorry, man."

Johnny rubbed his eyes. "What are you doing?"

"I can't sleep." Pony bit his fingernails for a few minutes then stopped when he realized he was doing it. He glanced at Johnny, who was watching him. Silently, Johnny stood up and walked to the door. He motioned for Pony to join him then the two of them slipped outside.

The boys sat down on the porch steps and Pony rubbed his arms. It was colder than he had expected. All he was wearing was an old T-shirt and some sleep pants.

Johnny looked at him, black eyes tearing into him questioningly.

Pony heaved a sigh and scuffed the bottom porch step with his shoe. "I miss mom and dad," he confessed. "But… But I'm worried about Darry." Johnny raised his eyebrows, obviously surprised at the answer. "I don't think he wants to be here. I hate holding him back. He could do a lot but instead he's stuck here with us."

"Ponyboy…. I don't think he's stuck here," Johnny said softly. "He didn't have to take you and Soda."

Ponyboy shrugged. "Sure. But still. He wouldn't just let us go to a boys' home. Darry ain't like that. I know he loves us. But I almost wish he didn't. I hate the guilt." He glared at the ground, hating the fact that his parents were dead and that almost two months ago his brother had had to give up his life and his future to take care of them. He hated seeing Darry work so much and come home so tired.

Darry was always working, sleeping, cooking, or cleaning. He never had time for anything anymore. He didn't talk to his old friends very often. Ponyboy knew that they, especially the ones that were Socs, didn't understand what he was doing. They thought it was stupid, insane. He was throwing his entire future away.

"He deserves better than this. He worked hard to try to make something of himself and now he can't. He's stuck with us for the next four and a half years. Who knows if he'll ever get out. Might be too late for him by the time we're both out of the house." Pony glared out at the street light.

Johnny was quiet but Pony knew he was listening. He always listened.

"Ya know, I'm the one holding him back."

That obviously took Johnny by surprise. He looked at his friend. "How do you figure that?"

"Sodapop'll be turning 18 next year. That leaves me." Pony picked up a stick and ran it along the steps.

"He don't blame you." The surprise was still easily recognizable in his voice.

"You don't know that." His voice was sharper than he meant it to be. Pony looked away guiltily.

Johnny was quiet for a while before speaking again. "No," he said quietly. "I guess I don't. But I know Darry. I know him as well as you do. He ain't doing it because he feels he has to."Pony merely shrugged and Johnny sighed, "He loves you a lot. Both of you."

When Ponyboy still didn't look up, Johnny shrugged out of his jacket and wrapped it around his friend's shoulders. "You look like you're about to freeze," Johnny told him quietly. Pony looked up at him gratefully.

"He's too you young to be a dad…" Ponyboy whispered after a minute.

Johnny nodded his head slowly. "I know… But you know…" He trailed off as if he was thinking for the best words. Ponyboy looked up again. "He's gonna be a great one. And not cause he has to be. It ain't like he had to get married or nothing. He wanted to do this."

"It ain't fair," Pony said softly. "He misses them too. He wants Mom and Dad back too but he gotta act like it's all okay. I think he thinks he can't show us he hurts too. He gotta be strong all the time."

Johnny nodded slowly. He watched his friend for a long time then whispered, "I miss them too Pony…"

Ponyboy looked up at him then a few tears escaped. "Nothing's the same anymore…"

"I know, man."

"Darry ain't supposed to be a dad at 20. And we ain't supposed to be orphans."

Johnny wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulders silently.

"T-today, when we asked Darry if we could have chocolate cake for breakfast tomorrow… Mom would have been exasperated…. I could just see her rolling her eyes and scolding Darry for letting us…" Pony buried his face in his hands. "It ain't fair."

"I know."

Pony cried for a few minutes and Johnny hugged him. When he was done, Johnny said, "Let's go on in, man. I'm freezing."

Pony nodded and handed Johnny back his jacket. The two of them went back in the house. Johnny grabbed Pony by the elbow before he could retreat back to his room. "Listen, man. Darry loves you both a lot. He ain't going anywhere." Again, he hit it right on.

Pony stared at him, wondering how on earth he knew his secret fear. That Darry would change his mind. Johnny gave him a small smile and Pony knew the answer. Johnny knew him better than almost anyone. He nodded slowly. "Yeah, okay."

"He ain't gonna regret it either." Johnny let him go and tossed his jacket on the couch. "So go on to bed, get some rest, and stop your worrying." He smiled at his friend.

Ponyboy couldn't help but smile back. "Yeah, okay. Thanks Johnny."

Johnny nodded and sat back down on the couch.

Ponyboy jogged back down the hall. He trusted Johnny. If Johnny didn't think Darry resented him or was going to leave him… Well, that was good enough for Pony. He still felt uneasy but sitting with Johnny had been comforting. He didn't need to have a lengthy conversation. He had just needed someone to let him get it out and sit with him. He needed someone to listen. Guys who will just sit and listen... Well, they're awful hard to find.

It was days like this that he knew he'd never know anyone else like Johnny Cade. But that was good. There was only one Johnny Cade and they were lucky enough to have him.

I hope you liked it! Remember you can request a pair if you want! They'll be added to the list :)