The Outsiders One-Shots

The Forth Curtis (Post-Book 😇)

Ponyboy was looking out the window in his bedroom, watching the scenery of the several houses, occasional cars driving by, and the soft breeze in the trees. He wasn't just admiring the view, he was waiting. Waiting for Johnny to finally come back from the hospital. He was finally coming home. He could still remember the absolute bewilderment on his face when the hospital stated that Johnny was still alive, Dally and him just left the room quickly, and they could've seen him weakly opening his eyes. Thank god, Pony thought Johnny's words, "Stay Gold", would be the last thing he'd ever hear from his best buddy. Everyone couldn't believe it. It was like a roller coaster of emotions in the Curtis household. But Dallas was probably the most overjoyed, more than he'd ever seen him before. Hell, he was even crying. It was rare to see Dallas crying, it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It was such a miracle that he nearly avoided death that night.

Regardless of all the feelings, he was just so glad Johnny was still alive. Like he said in the hospital, he couldn't die so soon. Over the next few months since that day, the gang regularly made visits to the hospital, especially Pony and Dallas, who visited him almost frequently. Johnny was definitely doing better than he did when he first walked into that room. Sure, he was still hooked up to machines, and had an oxygen mask on, but he was better. Hell, he smiled more, probably because he was surrounded by people taking care of him, which was understandable. He remembered when he visited Johnny, a few weeks before Christmas, Two-Bit and Soda were with him. Of course, they came to check up on him, and wish him an early merry Christmas, though they did make promises that the whole gang would visit on that day. Pony remembered when Two-Bit cracked this really funny joke, which got them all laughing, even Johnny, though due to his injuries, he still winced, but assured the others he was alright.

The good thing was, Johnny could thankfully walk again, without the help of a wheelchair. Pony didn't know how the doctors did it, but they somehow did. He couldn't even really imagine Johnny for the rest of his life in a wheelchair, it just wouldn't be the same. Back to present day though, he couldn't wait. His best friend would be here any minute, hour..just soon enough, but the waiting was killing him. Soda walked into the room, smiling at his brother, and ruffled his hair. "You excited to see Johnnycake?", he asked. "Duh, why wouldn't I?", Pony asked, turning to him. Soda gave him a playful punch in the shoulder. "We all are, kiddo. I can't wait to see his reaction when we tell him the surprise." Pony smiled as he remembered what he and his brothers planned and managed to accomplish the last two weeks. They all agreed, that it would certainly be the best decision made for Johnny.

The two saw a car pull into the driveway, and Pony nearly fell off the bed from excitement, Soda luckily caught him quickly. "He's here! He's here!" Pony jumped down, and ran out of the bedroom. "Darry! He's finally here!", Soda could hear him in the living room. He chuckled, following suit. He found both Darry and Pony standing in the living room, staring out the window, large grins on their faces. Ponyboy could hardly contain his excitement as he saw Johnny carefully getting out from the back, his escort helping him with some luggage. Darry made his way to the door, opening it as Johnny came through, a small smile on his face. "Hey Y'all!", he said. Pony and Soda immediately enveloped him into a hug, although Johnny let out a small squeak of pain, due to their arms being wrapped sorta tightly around his lower abdomen, which was still bandaged up. "Guys, lay off! Give him room to breathe!", Darry scolded the two, and they quickly let go. "Sorry Johnnycake..", they both muttered apologetically. "It's okay. I'm so glad to finally be outta there!", Johnny said, looking as the escort placed his luggage inside, and closed the door, before wishing the Curtis family a good day.

"How ya feeling?", Soda asked. "Much better than the last few months, that's for sure.", he simply answered, stretching himself carefully. The others chuckled, Pony ruffled his hair. "Shoot, wait until the other's see you!" "You wanna sit down, Johnny? Here, lemme get you more comfortable.", Darry offered, taking Johnny to the sofa, and making sure he sat down with ease. "Thanks Dar.." Pony walked over and sat next to his best friend, the two boys smiled at each other. They watched as Soda and Darry dealt with his luggage, moving it into another room. Johnny sank a bit into the couch, letting out an exhale of relief. "Man..is it good to finally be with you guys again for real. The blasted boredom in that hospital was awful!" "I'll bet. You wanna smoke, or watch some TV?" Johnny shook his head. "The doctors told me I can't..I'm still recovering. Man, the withdrawal was so brutal. And besides, I'm finally back, so how about we just talk for now?" Ponyboy nodded, sitting up a bit more. "I'm glad things are going back to normal. Soon enough, me, you and Dal can have our little strolls around town again." Johnny smiled at the thought. "Dally..I'll bet he'll be so glad to see me out..heh..", he muttered, looking up at the ceiling. "Course he will, Johnny! He loves you like a brother!"

Darry and Soda soon came back, seemingly whispering something in exchange to each other. They then turned to the two, winking at Pony, who nodded. "Okay Johnnycake, we got all your stuff out in the spare room we cleared out about a month ago. There's a bed in there, so don't worry about sleeping on the couch.", Soda said, sitting down on the rug. Johnny smiled, before it slowly disappeared. "Thanks but...I don't want to be a burden to you guys..I can't just stay here forever.." "Aww, you're not a burden, Johnnycake!", Soda said, and Pony slinked an arm around him. "Besides..", Darry started, walking up to the couch. "You won't have to worry about your folks, or sleeping in the lot anymore." Johnny looked up, slight confusion on his face. "Wait..huh?" He glanced at Ponyboy, who only smiled at him. Darry and Soda exchanged glances some more, smiling at each other, before the latter took out a piece of paper. "Johnny, as a small gift to welcome you back, we'd like you to have this..", he said, handing it to the raven-haired boy.

Johnny took the paper, before reading it. He nearly dropped it when he read it. A small noise escaped his mouth, his eyes wide at the paper. It wasn't a card..it was an adoption paper.

"W..wait..Y'all..I..", he started, looking at the three Curtis brothers, who all just smiled warmly at him. Pony patted his back, as he continued to stare at the paper, still trying to process if what he was seeing in front of him was really real, and was really happening. "Is..is this real..?", he whispered. "Am I dreaming..?" "Nope, you're wide awake boy, and yes, this is as real as it can get.", Darry said with a slight chuckle. "You're apart of the Curtis family now, Johnnycake!", Soda exclaimed. "I..I don't believe it..how'd you do this?!", Johnny demanded. "It wasn't easy, but we managed to get your custody in court. Besides, your folks ain't in any good mind to take care of you anyway, and you know how much we hate seeing you sleep out in the cold, so we finally decided to do something about it.", Darry explained. Johnny took one more glance at the paper, just to triple check that yes, he was now considered a Curtis, and yes, this was really happening. "So that explains the luggage..", he muttered.

"Welcome to the Curtis family, Johnny..", Ponyboy said to him, until he noticed small tears pricking at his eyes. The others must've noticed too, cause they were already moving closer to him. "Johnnycake? You okay?" "I know this is really sudden but-", Darry was cut off by the slow smile creeping onto Johnny's face. "Ye..yeah..", he said, wiping them. It's by then the brothers knew that they were happy tears, and they all smiled. Johnny let out a small laugh, as the tears started to trickle down his cheeks, looking at the three. Soon enough, the four enveloped into a gentle hug, as the small sobs of their new family member filled the silence. "Thank you..I..I can't thank you guys enough.." "Of course Johnnycake..or..we should say, Johnny Curtis. Though uh..if you still want to be addressed as Cade, that's fine.", Soda offered. "I'll think about it..", Johnny said, as the four pulled away.