Hearts in the Deep (Johnnyboy)

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Christmas with the Gang

(3rd person POV)

Ponyboy woke up and stretched; he looked out the window watching the snow fall softly to the ground for a minute. It then hit him: It's Christmas! He smiled as he sat up, turning to Sodapop who was still asleep.

"Sodaaa.. wake up!" Pony urged on, shaking Soda slightly. "Come on! It's Christmas Soda!"

Sodapop groaned, turning over to face Ponyboy while rubbing sleep from his eyes. He blinked a few times to process everything before looking at the clock on the bedside table. He huffed slightly.

"Pones it's five thirty in the mornin'... go back to sleep for a little.." He mumbled, turning back over.

"Sodaaaa.. I'm not tireddd.." Ponyboy huffed in reply, laying on top of his older brother.

"Hmm.. Pony please.." he grumbled, placing his pillow over his head.

"Fine," Pony said as he got up, walking out to the living room, finding Johnny sound asleep on the sofa. The gang wouldn't let Johnny stay home for holidays because they didn't want him getting beat for a Christmas present. Pony closed the bedroom door behind him. He scratched his head as he went over to the tree, smiling at the presents. Santa came, he thought. The gang always loved making sure that Ponyboy still believed in Santa, they wanted him to at least have a part of his childhood still.

"It's so pretty..." he whispered to himself as he sat in front of the Christmas tree, mesmerized by the lights in the sort of dark room. The Christmas tree was the only thing keeping the living room dimly lit.

Ponyboy was so fascinated by the lights on the Christmas tree that he didn't hear the shifting of Johnny waking up. Johnny had sat up rubbing his eyes, and looked over to see Ponyboy. He smiled at the fact that he was so mesmerized by the tree. It gives him a warm feeling to know that Pony still had that little kid inside him. He loved that side of him. He moved down and sat beside Ponyboy, looking at the tree as well. It was pretty, but the way the lights reflected off Pony's eyes was even prettier. Ponyboy's greenish-grey eyes were shining in the light of the Christmas tree.

"Pretty, ain't it..?" Johnny said quietly, trying not to startle Pony.

Ponyboy looked towards him and smiled, "Real pretty.."

Johnny and Ponyboy sat there staring at the tree, waiting for the gang to wake up. Ponyboy laid his head on Johnny's shoulder. A bit later Johnny went to say something to Pony, but he was met with a sound asleep boy. He smiled as he kissed the top of his head and laid his head on top of Ponyboy's.

—awhile later: 9 A.M.—

Sodapop had finally awaken, he was the last one to get up from his slumber. The smell of pancakes, sausage, and eggs invaded his nose as he walked out of the room. Darry was making breakfast, Two-bit was already drinking a beer, Steve was talking to Two-bit, and Dallas, Johnny, and Ponyboy were playing games.

"Aye, Sodapop! Good to finally see you, sleeping beauty." Dally smirked, looking up from the game for a second.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting guys." Soda chuckled as he sat down beside Steve.

"Nah, don't worry about it, kid. We all said we'll wait to open presents until after breakfast. Right Two?" Darry said, poking his head out of the kitchen, staring at Two-bit who was trying to sneak a peek at a present.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." Two-bit laughed.

"Ooh! alright!" Soda smiled.