「firefly」 | The Outsiders

Self-Medicating, Part Two [Jally].

Present day, AU.

Trigger Warning: Mentions of drug use and self-harm.

| Third Person POV. |

His hometown had changed, that was for sure. Johnny hadn't ever been to downtown Brooklyn, and even though Dally basically spent his whole adolescent life there, it was one of the first places they went. There were a lot more cars than he remembered, more strangers around his parent's old apartment complex, and more stores than he remembered. Though it had been almost six years since he'd last visited, so it made sense.

"It's nice here, I like it."

"It's alright." Dallas shrugged, fingertips running along his jacket sleeve. He was jittery, but nothing to be too concerned about. "Just don't stray off, you might get mugged." He was only half joking; there were about five alleyways, and most if not all looked sketchy. He didn't want Johnny getting hurt.

His mind drifted back to his old life, just slightly. He used to pick fights in the dark corners, hidden away from everyone. He'd never figured out a better way of making himself feel better, until heroin came into his life. He shook the thought of the drug away immediately, silently scalding himself for even letting it cross his mind. He was with Johnny, and he was going to make himself have a good time.

"Y-you okay, Dal?" His voice sounded quietly beside him, the elder boy giving him an inquisitive look.

"Yeah, why?"

"You just look like you're deep into your thoughts, like something's bothering you." He wrapped an arm around his shoulders, smile tugging at the corners of his lips and eyes looking straight ahead. If he met his eyes, he'd surely be able to see right through him. He wanted to confess about what he'd really gotten himself into. He wanted him to wrap his arms around him and let him know that someone really cared, and that there were better things in life than drugs, but he instead of spilling his secret he stayed silent. His mind screamed tell him, but his body shouted no, I need this.

"You know me, Johnny, I'm always okay."

"I guess." Dally ruffled the tanned boy's hair at this, raven colored locks tangling around his fingers.

"C'mon, let's get a pretzel or somethin' and find out where we're staying." Johnny nodded in response, pointing somewhere to the right.

"I think there's one of those cart things somewhere over there. They probably sell them." Dally snorted suddenly, unable to hold in his amusement.

"You mean a concession stand?" A blush immediately found its way to the nineteen year old's cheeks, and it was visible even over the natural tan of his face.

"Y-yeah, that thing." The twenty year old shook his head at this, but said nothing more, leading him toward the area he'd pointed to not long ago. He was half right; only it wasn't pretzels being sold, it was bagels. Even better, Dally thought to himself hungrily. He wasn't sure why his appetite was suddenly so opinionated, but his stomach was yearning for one of those bagels.

He pulled out a five dollar bill, handing it to the guy who stood at the cart and ordering two bagels for them both. He handed one to Johnny, pocketing the change before grabbing his own and taking a bite out of it. "Mhh." He mumbled, eyes closing a moment. "That's good." Johnny was already plowing through his as well, and it was nice to be just the two of them, standing there and stuffing their faces.