The sound of breaking glass was heard as Johnny bolted out of his home, almost falling down the steps with his mother at his heels, beating him savagely over the head with a broom.

"Get out of my house you worthless piece of shit! You're just like that deadbeat father of yours!" His mother screamed with the stench of booze on her breath.

Johnny nearly tripped over his feet as he stumbled out onto the front lawn where she continued to beat the living daylights out of him. Johnny grabbed the broom before she could hit him again and tried to pry it out of her hands. The two wrestled for dominance over the broom until his mother dug her nails into Johnny's fingers hard enough to break the skin. Johnny let go with a shout of pain and looked at the crescent shaped marks on the top of his fingers that were starting to bleed slightly. He toppled over when his mother hit him again and jabbed the broomstick hard into his stomach. Johnny let out a hard cough and held his stomach in pain trying to get away from her.

"Stop hitting me you crazy old drunk!"

Those words angered her even more and she swung the broom across Johnny's face busting his bottom lip and leaving little scratches on his cheeks from the bristles. Johnny tasted the blood in his mouth and quickly backed away from her before she could hit him again.

"Get off my property! Now!"

Johnny sped away from her and ran down the sidewalk without even looking back. He didn't care where he was running to, he just wanted to get away from that crazy bitch. Johnny ran past various people nearly crashing into them and spotted the neighborhood where Ponyboy, Soda and Darry lived. Johnny quickened his pace and ended up tripping over his feet landing hard on the pavement. Johnny pushed himself up with a groan and looked at the palms of his hands that were now scraped and bleeding.

Johnny ignored the stares from the people around him and wobbly rose to his feet. Johnny half jogged and limped all the way to Ponyboy's house which was just up ahead. Johnny opened the metal gate in front of his best friend's house and walked up the stairs. He waited to catch his breath before knocking on the door a couple of times and stopped when he heard Ponyboy's voice shouting from the other side.

"Coming, coming!"

Ponyboy opened the door and nearly stumbled back when he saw the state Johnny was in.

"What the hell, Johnny! What happened?!"

Johnny's face crumpled as he wiped his eyes with his bleeding palm which left a smear of blood on his face.

"M-my mom beat me again.."

"Aw Johnnycake..."

Ponyboy wrapped his arms around Johnny and gave him a firm hug. Johnny returned it and buried his nose into Ponyboy's sweatshirt. Ponyboy pulled away and led Johnny inside his home. He seated Johnny on the light gray couch by the door and leaned down to take his face into his hands and study his injuries. Darry walked in a few seconds later having heard the knocking at the door and came up behind Ponyboy placing a heavy hand on his back.

"What's going on here?"

Ponyboy pulled away from Johnny and turned around to face his oldest brother. A look of seriousness on his usual calm looking face.

"Johnny's mother beat him up again."

Darry looked away and let out a sigh. His was honestly getting tired of that woman. He ran a hand through his thick dark hair and glanced over at Johnny who was picking at the scrapes on his palms. Darry seated himself next to Johnny and placed a strong hand on his shoulder. Johnny looked up from his palms and met Darry's hardened yet gentle eyes.

"Was your mom hurtin' you again, kiddo?"

Johnny nodded his head and swallowed down his urge to cry. He didn't like crying in front of his friends. Ponyboy noticed Johnny's eyes watering and immediately sat next to him.

"Don't cry, Johnnycake. You're safe here. We're going to take good care of you."

Darry gave Johnny a small smile and patted him on the back a little too hard making him wince. His back was still aching from that damn broom and without a doubt covered in bruises. Ponyboy wrapped an arm around Johnny's shoulders with furrowed brows and pulled him close.

"Are you hurt anywhere else?"

"My back. She was hittin' it with a broom."

Darry lifted Johnny's shirt up and glared at the black and blue marks that littered Johnny's back. Ponyboy looked at them too and cringed. "Glory Johnny." She must have been hitting Johnny hard to leave all those bruises. Darry pulled Johnny's shirt down and stood up to retrieve supplies to treat Johnny.

"I'll be back, sweetheart. I'm going to find the first aid kit."

Darry rose from the couch and headed to the bathroom to look for the first aid kit. Ponyboy combed his fingers through Johnny's thick black hair and felt a small bump on the top of his head. Johnny hissed in pain making Ponyboy soften his touch and lightly caress it with his fingertips. He pulled his hand away and inspected his fingers for blood which to his relief, there was none.

"I'm sorry, kid. Did she hit your head too?"

"Yeah..that evil old witch. If she had hit me any harder she would have given me a concussion."

Johnny felt his eyes burn with tears again and this time let them spill down his cheeks. A warm palm on his cheek made him turn his head and meet with Ponyboy's sympathetic gaze. He wiped away a tear with his thumb and placed his hand on the back of Johnny's head, guiding it to his chest where he pressed it lovingly. Johnny, not used to affection, tensed up a little in Pony's arms but felt himself start to ease when Pony rubbed a hand up and down his back soothingly. Johnny snaked his arms around Ponyboy's waist and shut his eyes tight letting his tears stain Ponyboy's sweatshirt.

"Shh..don't cry, baby. It'll be okay." Ponyboy whispered into his hair.

Johnny turned his face away from Pony's chest and just laid his head there listening to the steady rhythm of his beating heart. Darry returned with the first aid kit and set the small white case on the coffee table, smiling softly at Ponyboy and Johnny.

"Alright. Let's get started on those wounds."

Ponyboy gently pushed Johnny away from him and let Darry tend to his injuries which didn't take too long. After a few minutes, Darry had finished and looked over at his work with a nod of approval. He closed the first aid kit and decided to leave it on the coffee table for Ponyboy to put away.

"Alright Ponyboy, I'm going to leave you to look after Johnny. I have to go to work. I'm already running late."

"Don't worry. I'll take good care of him." Ponyboy slung an arm around Johnny's shoulders earning him a small smile.

Darry grabbed his backpack from off the floor and headed out the door leaving the two adolescents alone. Ponyboy rubbed Johnny's arm and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"Want to go to my room, Johnnycake? I have a big collection of books I want to show you and if you want, I'll read one to you."

"I'd like that a lot, Pone. But before you do that, can you just…hold me..for a bit. That hug you gave me felt real good and I want to experience it again."

Johnny looked away embarrassed and waited for Ponyboy to reject that, but instead he heard Ponyboy let out a soft aw.

"Of course I will. Come here, buddy." Ponyboy cooed with outstretched arms.

With a smile Johnny slid closer to him and melted into his embrace. Without hesitation, Ponyboy pulled Johnny onto his lap and leaned back against the couch so Johnny could lay on his chest. Johnny snuggled close to Ponyboy enjoying the warmth radiating from his chest. Gentle fingers combed through Johnny's hair being mindful of the bump on his head and softly scratched his scalp, deepening his relaxation. Before Johnny closed his eyes, a soothing whisper against the top of his head made him look up at Ponyboy.

"Are you doing okay, Johnny baby?"

Johnny nodded his head against Pony's chest and ran a hand up his arm feeling the hard muscles beneath his skin. This reminded Johnny to start working out more. His limbs felt too lanky for his liking.

"Yeah, I'm alright. This is pretty nice."

"It is. I wouldn't mind holding you like this again." Ponyboy sat up and started to rock Johnny for a bit, making him feel a little drowsy.

Ponyboy noticed the droopy look in Johnny's eyes and decided to lay him down in his and Soda's bed. Standing up, he cradled Johnny in his arms and carried him bridal style to his bedroom with ease. Johnny was pretty light. He set Johnny on the bed and removed his jean jacket and sneakers. He gently pushed Johnny against the pillows and pulled the covers over him. Johnny got comfortable and snuggled his face close to Ponyboy's pillow letting his eyes close.

The faint scent of pomade lingered on the pillow making Johnny inhale it deeply. Ponyboy smiled at him and leaned down to place a soft kiss against his temple. He tucked a strand of Johnny's hair behind his ear before whispering softly against it.

"Sleep well, Johnny."

Ponyboy moved away and pulled up his desk chair close to the bed and sat down with one leg on top of the other watching Johnny slumber peacefully.