˙˚∘⊹🦋⊹∘˚˙ Butterfly in the Moonlight

- CHAPTER 16 -

Johnny and Rylee, the two in the hospital. Rylee was let out, due to having minor (not really) issues that were solved with a few days rest and care, however Johnny's burnt body was a different story.

Johnny was sat up more now, and Rylee stayed beside him the entire time.

"You know," Rylee started off as she laid her head against her palm, "the rumble is supposed to happen tonight."

"Are you going..?" Johnny asked softly, looking away from his burnt feet and looking at Rylee. "I don't want you, or Ponyboy, to go.."

"I think Ponyboy is going to the rumble, probably just trying to get his emotions out. Better than here, honestly." Rylee laughed, a awkward smile on her face. "Though, I'm not. Still can't see through my left eye." Rylee pointed towards her eye, and laughed again.

"Then he should go. It'll be better, yeah?" Johnny asked, as he looked. "If he wants to go, he should." Johnny quipped with a smile.

"I'll stay here." Rylee responded, crossing her legs with a smile on her face.

Johnny laid a hand out, palm up, waiting for Rylee to take it. Rylee paused, lifting her hand but taking it back, before sighing and setting her hand against his.

Rylee's face flushed, and she smiled awkwardly, burying her head into her other hand. "It's strange how your mind works." She started, soon sputtering a shaky breath, "It tells you—'oh, I think I love him' but you don't know how to say it. Because your mind is flustered as well."

Johnny's breath slowed as she babbled on, "And you know—I would love to confess to him. But, it doesn't allow you to explain it." Rylee babbled as she explained, her fingers squeezing and unclenching his hand.

"Does that make any sense?" Rylee asked, giving a concerned look.

"Uh." Johnny sputtered out, his face growing red. "Who is the him?" He asked, a nervous smile spreading on his face. "Because if it's me, you just confessed."

Rylee paused, soon chuckling, then laughing. Not because she was making fun of him, but because she was so blind and didn't even realize she had confessed. She buried her head into her hand, and started laughing faster and louder.

"Rylee, are you okay?" Johnny asked awkwardly, before Rylee stands up. "God, you're red." He stated as he smiled.

"I was—talking about you." Rylee gushed as she sat back down, and leaned back into the chair. "I'm so dumb."

Johnny smiled. "No you're not. You're just—sappy. It's..cute."

Rylee's brain turned to mush, shutting down completely as she gave a awkward look towards the ground. She was not used to love stuff, and it showed. Rylee soon regained consciousness (she is just so awkward), and laid her own hand out.

"Butterfly." Rylee pointed to the open window. It was turning dusk—the rumble was starting at sundown, so soon. The butterfly flashed its wings in the sun light. "It reminds me of you."

Johnny looked at it. "Isn't that the one you named Rade?" Johnny asked, lifting his hand shakily towards the window. He giggled slightly when the butterfly climbed into his hand. "I think it is. It has that one splotched spot."

Johnny set his hand onto his stomach, watching the butterfly spin around for a few, and laid itself against Johnny's palm. He looked down at the butterfly in awe, his mouth slightly agape as he beamed.

Rylee looked over his shoulder, well, more so over his bedside, and looked at the butterfly too. "Yeah, that's Rade." She beamed as she sat down, before looking up to the swing open door.

"Hey kiddos." Dally said with a wave, and let Ponyboy pass him to hug Rylee and wave to Johnny. "I'm sure Rylee has told you, the rumble is tonight." Dally started and Johnny just sighed.

"I really don't want you guys to go. But, I know, it'll be better for you guys." Johnny replied as he stated down at the butterfly. "I'll have Rylee here, thankfully, considering you two are going out and brawling."

"Sorry about this kid." Dally sighed as he gently ruffled up Johnny's hair, causing Johnny to laugh. "We'll be back right after, I promise."

Ponyboy noticed Rylee holding Johnny's hand, and smirked. "You two finally confessed?" He quipped, nodding towards the hand holding.

Rylee sighed and smiled. "My dumbass decided to ramble, and then he pointed out I confessed, and uhm, we don't know I guess?" Rylee pointed out as she rubbed the back of her head, pulling her hand around to the front of her neck.

"Well hopefully you two figure it out." Dally said, before looking up at the clock in the hospital room. "We gotta get going, Pony." Dally waved towards the exit, "The others are already on their way, I bet."

Rylee nodded, adjusting the rings on her fingers as she looked between the boys. "Don't get hurt too bad." She mentioned as she looked towards her hands.

"No promises." Ponyboy gave a grin, before heading out before waving towards Johnny, and then waved to Rylee before leaving.

"Ugh. They're going to get their asses kicked." Rylee muttered as she rolled her eyes.

Johnny laughed. "I doubt Dally would let Pony get hurt too badly." Johnny pointed out, before coughing to the side.

"You alright? Need some water?" Rylee asked, tilting her head to the side.

Johnny gave a soft smile. "No, I don't think so."

"How about I grab you some..it'll be better for it to sit than you need it at like, 4 in the morning." Rylee said as she nodded towards the door.

Johnny sighed, and reluctantly nodded. "Fine."

Rylee beamed, and did finger guns to him before leaving. She up and left the room, poking her head into the hall before finally leaving.

Rylee walked by the nurse that was taking care of Johnny, quickly tugging on her shirt. "Miss?" She asked, tilting her head.

"Oh! What's the matter sweetie?" The nurse bent down, since she was wearing heels and Rylee was a bit shorter.

"Could my uhm.." Rylee thought for a proper word, "lover..? Could my lover and I get some water in our room?"

The nurse patted her head, giving Rylee a startled squeak from her throat. "Of course dear. I'll be on that in a few, okay?"

Rylee nodded, folding her hands. "Thank you miss."