Hearts in the Deep (Johnnyboy)

Chapter 9: Butterflies and Bandages

(Ponyboy's POV)

My vision was blurred, but I knew Johnny had killed that girl. Now we were running again. I felt like crying; I couldn't do this again. We can't have another replay. Please. I felt hot tears run down my face for another time today. Johnny probably thought I was such a baby by now.

I didn't know where we were running to but I assumed Buck Merril's place or Windrixvile. It was still light out, so I doubt we're going to Windrixvile. My bet's on Buck.

I was proven wrong once we showed up at my front door. Johnny slowed down a while back as we approached the door and walked in. My vision was still blurry, so I held onto Johnny's hand tighter. We walked into the living room, and Two-Bit and Dallas were sitting on the couch laughing. We kept our heads down as Johnny dragged me to the bathroom.

"Alright, lets clean up Pony..." He said, his voice quivering slightly as he closed the bathroom door, and turned to me.

"O-okay," I stuttered, "I'll clean you up first. You're hurt worse than me."

"No. I'm... I'm okay. You first." Johnny stated in defense.

"Johnathan Cade," I stated sternly. "Please let me clean your wounds."

"Fine." He sighed, looking away.

"Thank you." I smiled as I pushed him toward the toilet.

Johnny sat on the toilet seat and looked up at me. I just couldn't help but smile sadly; he looked so similar to a sad puppy. It was in his eyes. It was always the eyes. I turn towards the cabinet and grab the supplies I'll need.

"Hey, Pones?" I heard a soft voice behind me.

I turned and looked at Johnny.

"Yeah?" I replied.

He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me between his legs. He looked up at me again and pulled my face down, and suddenly I felt my stomach take a flutter and my face got warm. Johnny ran his thumbs across my cheeks, wiping my tears away from my tear-stained face. Then he wrapped his arms around my waist and laid his head on my stomach. Suddenly I got a wave of insecurity that washed over me like a tsunami. I tensed up and pushed Johnny away quickly. He looked up at me confusedly, and I just look away. He probably felt how pathetic I was. He knew I didn't eat, but he didn't know the extent.

I go back to grab the things I need to clean Johnny's wounds before turning back around to him. I avoided eye contact as I got on my knees and put the necessities on the floor beside me. While picking up the cloth, I gather some products to clean up the cut on his face. I sit up, getting close to Johnny's face as I began cleaning his wound. His eyes shut tightly.

"Oh, sorry Johnnycakes, I probably should have warned you." I apologized.

"It's okay..." He breathed out as he opened his eyes again.

I smiled slightly before leaning back in to clean his cut. Johnny's eyes widened as he began moving around.

"Hey, would ya mind?" I giggled.

"S-sorry." He whispered quietly.

"It's okay, just stop movin'. I'm trying to tend to your cut." I replied, continuing on.

After a few seconds, he started to squirm again. I rolled my eyes and laughed slightly.

"W-what?" Johnny questioned.

"You keep squirming! What's up with you?" I asked, trying to steady him so I can continue working.

"I don't-... I don't know. Uhm." Johnny stumbled, looking away.

I sighed and stood up before sitting back down on Johnny's lap. I felt him jump slightly and look at me. I've never seen a faster reaction in my life.

"W-what are you doing?!" He gasped as he stared at me with wide eyes.

"You were moving too much, and I needed you to stay still. I can't clean your cut if you're moving." I replied.

"O-oh... right. Yeah." Johnny barely whispered.

I watched him turn bright red, but then I turned to finish cleaning his cut. I put a bandage on it, smoothing it out gently. Then I took the damp washcloth and gently washed his bruised cheek. I noticed Johnny staring and confusedly looked at him.

"Hm? Is there something on my face?" I questioned.

"Yes-... I mean no! No, you don't! You look fine! You're perfect!" Johnny panicked slightly.

"Alright..." I giggled slightly, "I finished though."

"Great! You can get off of me now you know..." He mumbled.

"Huh? OH. Yeah, sorry..." I smiled slightly as I began to climb off Johnny's lap.

When I stood up, I tripped over the supplies I had scattered on the floor. I fell back into Johnny. I caught myself with my hands on the back of the toilet, but it doesn't change the fact that our lips brushed against each other. We both stared widely at each other in shock before I came to my senses and got up embarrassedly.

"S-sorry.." I stuttered, turning to pick up the supplies and putting it all on the counter.

"I-it's okay. It w-was a mistake." Johnny said nonchalantly.

Johnny and me swapped places because he wanted to clean wounds so now I was sitting on the toilet seat watching Johnny do stuff at the counter. Then, he turned and walked over to me with a cloth.

"This might burn, okay? You can squeeze my hand if it hurts too much..." He told me quietly and I nodded in response.

Johnny took my hand in his before leaning in to start cleaning the cut I had just above my jawline. I felt the pain and the butterflies all at once; I was so confused. I took in a deep breath as I closed my eyes.

"Am I hurting you??" Johnny questions as he pulls away slightly.

"No.." I reassured him as I rubbed circles on the back of his hand.

"Okay.." He said quietly as he continued cleaning my small cut.

After a bit of cleaning the cut, Johnny grabbed a bandage and put it on neatly. He pulled away and stood up straight. I looked up at him and he was looking at me like he just became Leonardo da Vinci and was admiring his greatest work. I just had to smile at the sight. He gave me a small smile back before turning away and started putting everything back in the cabinets. I got up and helped of course.

I grabbed a cloth and started washing the blood out of it at the sink while Johnny grabbed a few bottles. He came behind me to reach over into the cabinet to put the bottles away; I could feel his body heat against my back. My stomach grew butterflies quite quickly. I heard him sigh as he put a few bottles down so he only had one. Then, he put a hand on my waist to move me slightly so he could reach. I felt my face grow hot as he began putting the bottles away while keeping his hand on my waist. I took a deep breath as I ringed the cloth out and put it somewhere to dry.

When we finished cleaning up we decided to go and maybe hang out with Dally and Two-Bit in the living room. I went to open the door. but I was pulled back by the collar of my shirt. I gasped slightly as I turn to Johnny. He looked at me for like a minute straight without saying anything.

"What..?" I asked confusedly.

He didn't reply. He just smiled before pulling me into a kiss. That definitely isn't accidental.

(1291 words)