✓ | falling ➝ j. cade

xxi. end of time

❝BOY COME HOME. YOU STAY IN MY HEAD. LAY IN MY ARMS, WHY WON'T YOU?❞
− ALESSIA CARA, STARS

×

It was March when Johnny stayed with Theodosia for the first time. His parents had kicked him out again after they had been fighting for hours about money, and, of course, Johnny was the one who had to suffer. He was always the one that left, never one of them. It was always Johnny.

So, Johnny had trudged out of his house, and the only person he wanted to see was Theodosia, even if Two-Bit's place was closer and probably the safer option considering he'd have to walk it. But, Johnny wouldn't mind the walk. He hoped that Theodosia wouldn't mind that he had turned up out of nowhere. He doubted she would. It was Theodosia, after all.

The streets were empty at whatever hour it was when Johnny Cade roamed them. He was grateful for that. He wanted to try and clear his head before he made it to Theodosia's. Maybe it had been the Greaser's lethargic pace, but it felt like her house was an eternity away.

Shoving his hands in his pockets, Johnny kicked some gravel as he walked. It skidded only a few paces ahead of him. Eventually, the tall house came into view, and Johnny quickened his pace.

Coming to a stop, Johnny began to size the house up. Theodosia's bedroom was on the second floor of the house. He could see her window, but how was he supposed to get up there? His best option, Johnny decided, was to stand on the railing that lined the front porch and pull himself up onto that level of the roof.

Stepping up onto the railing, Johnny hoped that the rood would support him when he got to it. So, Johnny pulled himself onto the roof and scooted away from the edge. He could dimly see Theodosia. She was laying on her side with her back to the window. Hesitantly, Johnny tapped on it. Theodosia stirred slightly, but it wasn't enough to fully wake her. So, he tapped again. This time it was enough to wake her.

Johnny watched as Theodosia clumsily detangled herself from her sheets. She scooted towards the window. Her eyes were squinty as she looked at Johnny. Her long red hair was in a mess, too, as it was long enough to reach her waist.

"Johnny?" Her voice was barely audible.

"Can I come in?"

Theodosia nodded sleepily before opening the window. As Johnny crawled through, Theodosia made her way back under her white comforter.

"You can stay," Theodosia murmured."Just no weird stuff, mkay?"

Johnny quietly chuckled at his sleepy girlfriend and thought it was best not to ask what she defined as "weird stuff". So, he quickly and quietly undressed before slipping under the covers. He was sure to let Theodosia have most of the bed. It was her bed after all.

Because he couldn't fall asleep, Johnny noticed that, that for the most part, Theodosia stayed relatively still while she slept. While she was a still sleeper, she was not a quiet sleeper. Throughout the night, Johnny noticed she would murmur short phrases. It was never loud enough for it to be audible, though.

Johnny wasn't sure what time it was when Theodosia rolled over to him, or, more accurately, rolled on him. Theodosia tucked herself into his side, resting her head on his chest. He didn't mind at all, though, even if her heart was slightly heavier than he was used to it being. In fact, he liked having her there. Johnny wasn't sure if Theodosia was awake or not. He had assumed not. Her eyes were still closed. She proved him wrong, though, when she spoke.

"Johnny," Theodosia murmured into his chest.

"Mhmm?" Johnny quietly hummed as he stared down at his half asleep girlfriend.

"I think I'm in love with you," Theodosia whispered as if it was the simplest phrase in the world, like it was something that frequently rolled off her tongue. The words that Theodosia said so simply made Johnny's heart jump into his throat.

"Well good," Johnny managed,"'cause I think I'm in love with you, too."

Johnny could feel Theodosia smile against him, so he rested an arm across her back. The two seemed to relax into each other as Theodosia fell back into a slumber. Johnny, too, found sleep not long after Theodosia's confession.

Johnny had dimly thought about how lucky he was before sleep had finally taken him over, though.

author's note: yikes this so sloppy. i'm sorry, guys. i'll probably go back and edit later. xx