Just The Two of Us (Johnnyboy)

Chapter One

Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade sit side by side in the vacant lot near their neighborhood. It's a warm-for-April evening, and the sun is setting over the horizon. They sit and watch the sunset, talking about their lives. But unbeknownst to them, feelings are brewing inside of them for each other. Neither of them has realized it yet, but they're there. Ponyboy smiles at a small joke Johnny made and lays his head on his shoulder softly. His dyed blonde locks struggle against the heavy grease restraints

"Hey Johnnycakes, do you ever think about how everyone on the entire Earth sees the same exact sunset? It's cool, ain't it?"

"Yeah. I think about it a lot, you know. Sunsets are real special, real gold." Johnny says, smiling at Ponyboy. As Ponyboy lays his head on Johnny's shoulder, Johnny in turn lays his head on top of Ponyboy's.

"I agree. I'm glad I can talk about this stuff to you. I've tried talking to the other boys, but they just don't get it." Ponyboy sighs in a fake, dramatic way in an attempt to make Johnny laugh. His laugh is like music to his ears; he doesn't quite know why. Johnny laughs, it makes Pony smile.

"Yeah, they just don't get stuff like the two of us do, Pony. That's kinda funny, it's like we was made for each other."

Ponyboy takes his head off of his shoulder and looks at him. "Yeah, I think we were.... In a friend way, you know?" He smiles warmly and stares at the beauty of the changing pink and orange of the sky.

"Yeah... uh, in a friend way." Johnny scratches the back of his neck. His greasy dark hair is still shorter than usual from their brief stint of running from the law. He chuckles awkwardly before looking back up at the sky. His arms and hands are still peeling from being burnt. Johnny's third degree burns not having been healed all the way yet. Johnny looks back up at Ponyboy. "We sure are lucky to still have each other."

Ponyboy senses some discomfort, but decides not to push it. "We sure are. I'm really happy we found you, Johnny. Who knows what could've happened to you by now if we didn't..." He didn't even want to think about it. He first saw Johnny 7 years ago on the street, all black and blue. It could be worse now if he didn't go get his big brother, Darry then.

"Yeah. You all are like brothers to me." Johnny says. He avoids Ponyboy's eyes that're filled with gray and green hues. He gazes down at his tan, waxy, leathery burnt arms, still covered with scars. Ponyboy cocks an eyebrow.

"You alright, Johnnycakes?" Johnny had always been a little insecure of how young he looked, so he wore that jean jacket all of the time. But ever since the fire, it's been worse because of his burns. Ponyboy didn't want to push it, but he wanted Johnny to know that he was here for him.

"I-I'm fine Pony. My arms are just a bit itchy is all... and I can't really itch em 'cause it'll make the peeling worse." Johnny says. He's just wearing a black t-shirt, his jean jacket beside him. With the sun finally going to rest below the horizon the Tulsa air begins to get cooler as night begins. Johnny throws his jean jacket back on and he pops the collar. Hiding his face and the burn scars on his neck slightly.

"Oh. I think we have itch cream at the house. Do you wanna go back and get some? It's dark anyway." Ponyboy knew Darry wanted them back before dark, especially in the cold seasons.

"Yeah, sure. We was all gonna get together at your place and hang out for a bit tonight, right?" Johnny asks Ponyboy. Ponyboy's eyes light up and he smiles.

"Oh yeah! I totally forgot!" There was gonna be a bunch of cake and definitely alcohol for Two-Bit and Steve. "Do you remember if Dally will be there or if he's in the cooler again?"

"Dal is out again. Got out either this morning or late last night. He swung by earlier and said hi. Got out for good behavior again."

"Oh, that's good. I wonder if Two-Bit's gonna bring a blonde over. Darry has been banning him and his chicks all these years but he's been letting off us recently." Ponyboy gets up and puts Johnny's hand in his own to pull him off of the ground.

"Yeah, he has been. Hasn't he?" Johnny chuckles. "He seemed to like that brunette Socy girl at the drive-in. I wonder if they've talked since then. I've never seen him talk so nice to a gal before."

"Huh, I didn't really notice. Mainly cause I was too busy with Cherry Valance. Man, I wish she talked to me more. She's a real treat, ain't she Johnny?" Ponyboy looks up and into Johnny's eyes, wanting an answer that satisfies him. He was still holding onto Johnny's hand, not letting go anytime soon.

"She seemed like a nice gal." Johnny says quickly. He looks down at his beat up black sneakers. He promptly goes back to mentioning Two-Bit and the Marcia gal; he seems like he wants to avoid talking about Cherry Valance. "Two-Bit was really actin' like a gentleman talking to that Marica. He didn't spout no dirty remarks or try to lift up her skirt or nothing. I didn't know he could act like that."

Ponyboy looks down too. "Yeah, I didn't know either. Let's go home now, alright?"

"Yeah, let's go, Ponyboy." Johnny stands up and he grabs Ponyboy's hand to help him up. They walk together down the street, smoking cigarettes. Ponyboy tries with all of his might to make a smoke ring, but it just doesn't work.

"I wish I could make a smoke ring. How do you do it, Johnnycake?"

"I've managed to do one a few times, but never when I actually try." Johnny chuckles, trying to blow a smoke ring, but it fails. That makes Ponyboy smile, knowing that it's not as easy as it seems.

"Wow, you're horrible at that." He teases.

"Yeah, just about as good as you Ponyboy." Johnny smiles, teasing Ponyboy back. Ponyboy narrows his eyes as he smiles, trying not to laugh. The attempt fails and they laugh as they walk up to the door of the Curtis house.