The Outsiders Stuff!

Sunsets (Johnnyboy oneshot)

Johnnycake POV:

I walked up a hill and sat down on the grass. Earlier this week Ponyboy slipped a note in my locker to meet him here today. I don't know why he'd choose a random hill out of town, but he's never given me a reason not to trust him.

I don't know if I'm too early or he's running late, but he's taking forever to get here. I picked a dandelion and blew on it to help pass that time. As I was watching the little seeds float into the air and away, I saw Ponyboy walking up with something behind his back.

"Hey," he said while sitting down. I still couldn't see what he was holding, but he'd show me eventually.

"Hi, Pony." I smiled at him and looked at his eyes. I don't know why he insisted they were grey when they were green, since green eyes look pretty on him. "How are you?"

"Good." I watched him put on sunglasses and look at the sunset. He did that to protect his eyes. If he couldn't see, he couldn't read, and that'd bum him out real bad.

"So," I started while pulling a blade of grass out of the ground, "why'd you invite me up here?"

He hesitated, which is something he doesn't really do in front of me. I heard a small sigh from Ponyboy before he gave me what he brought; a rose.

It was a red one, with soft, delicate petals and with the thorns cut off. It smelled nice; not too overwhelming but not lacking too much scent either. I liked it.

"Oh, thanks, Pony," I said after receiving it. I don't know why he gave me a rose, but I wasn't mad about it. It was nice to receive a gift like this, actually. I'm happy with simple things.

I saw Ponyboy taking his glasses off from the corner of my eye as I smelled the rose again. He looked over at me, so I put the rose in my lap and turned towards him.

"Hey, Johnny?"

"Yeah?" I saw a look of hesitation in those emerald eyes of his. He was acting shyer than usual.

"Well I..." he paused, looking down at the rose he gave me. "I like you."

I blinked a few times, taking in the information. He liked me? Me? Out of all people, me? I couldn't figure out why.

Ponyboy looked back at the sunset, and so did I. We sat in silence as I was processing the information and he was waiting for a reaction.

I eventually leaned my head on Pony's shoulder. He tensed up a bit then relaxed. I held the rose in my left hand as I sat next to him and watched the sunset. It was a pretty mix of reds, oranges, and yellows swirled together with some pink clouds. Usually the sky was just blue and the clouds were white, and the sunsets don't last long, so it's important to treasure the beauty while it's there.

We stayed like that until Ponyboy looked down at me after the sun disappeared under the horizon. I sat up straight and looked back at him.

"Do you like me back?" He looked nervous; I could see it in his eyes. I thought about the question. Did I like him back?

I mean, he was always nice to me. He let me sleep over whenever my folks fought so I wouldn't get hurt. He cares about me just as much as Dally does, and that's saying a lot 'cause I'm like Dal's little brother. He'd kill for me.

Ponyboy's also one of the sweetest guys in the gang. He sees the beauty and stuff in everything, which not everyone else really does. Pony's not destructive and hostile like Steve or Dally, and he's pretty. Everyone says Soda's the prettiest out of the Curtis brothers, but Pony's either a close, close second or tied with him. I don't know why he doesn't see it. When he gives me that soft smile of his, I can't help but return it. Maybe that's what liking him back feels like.

I looked up at Ponyboy after thinking about it. I saw his eyes go from nervous to relieved when I slowly nodded, confirming that I liked him back. He hugged me gently and I hugged back. I didn't get hugged enough; none of us did.

Once we stopped, he gently put his hand on my chin and held it.

"Can I kiss you? If that's okay?" He looked cute when unsure. I nodded. Nobody was around, and it was getting dark quick, so no one would see. I leaned in as he did, and felt truly happy for the first time in a while as my lips touched his.

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801 words