「look at the stars」 | Johnnyboy

T w e l v e .

"So, what do you wanna watch? We've got superhero movies, sci-fi, horror, you name it." The younger boy moved to look at his partner, grin firmly planted on his lips. Johnny always had that effect on him.

"Mh..." He hummed in response thoughtfully, moving to kneel down beside the brunet. The two had left the diner a few hours hours prior to the current and were now just searching for new activities to do; they'd played a game of cards — along with Steve, Two-Bit, and Sodapop — then, once their three of them left, they danced and sang off-key to random songs they found on the radio. Darry would be off work in about forty-five minutes, and Sodapop would probably be home soon after that.

"It's not rocket science, Johnnycakes." Ponyboy spoke up softly, resisting the urge to laugh. The elder boy pursed his lips, ruffling his companion's hair before pulling a random movie from the shelf. He only looked at the name of it after he'd brought it to his lap; it was one based on a novel by Stephen King, he was sure, though he'd never even read the book so he had no idea what it was about.

"You've got like a million," he mumbled, but couldn't hold back the slight smile that meekly traced along his features. "This one." The fourteen year old gently took it from his hand, eyes falling over the cover before they met the brown hues in front of him. Johnny stared back at him expectantly.

"You're sure, now?"

"Mhm, I'm positive."

"And you won't get scared?"

"Please," he looked offended, nose scrunching in disbelief. "It's not even a scary movie."

"Is this your first time watching?"

"Well... y-y-yes, but..." He looked down now, strawberry colored blush thoroughly washing over his cheeks. Ponyboy gazed down at the It movie case, biting back a smile.

"Okay, let's do it." He paused, "You know, I heard they're coming out with a new one soon. If you like the story, we can go watch it sometime." Johnny leaned forward, brushing his lips against the other boy's softly before smiling.

"I'd like that." He turned on his heel, grabbing a blanket and collapsing onto the couch afterwards. Once his companion had put the disc in and found the remote, they sat side by side. The sixteen year old draped the blanket over them both, allowing the younger male to lay his head in his lap.

His fingers absent-mindedly combed through Ponyboy's hair as the commercials began to play, causing the younger boy to let out a breath of content. "I love when you do that." He mumbled, more tired than he'd expected — nonetheless, he was determined to stay up at least a little late.

"I bet you'll be asleep before the movie even starts." He laughed slightly, glancing down at the boy who laid in his lap.

"No, absolutely not. I'll watch the full thing with—" A yawn interruped him, "—you and you got my word." Though, thirty minutes in and Ponyboy was already out cold...

☪ ☪ ☪

"What's the matter? Is one balloon not enough for 'ya?" The shout caused Ponyboy to stir from his sleepiness, eyes blinking a few times before he fisted up his hands and dug them against his eyelids — trying to rid himself of the sleep that resided in the corners of his eyes. His vision came to show Pennywise, then the camera shot to what looked to be a bundle of balloons.

"I-I'm sorry, I'll turn it down."

"No, no, it's okay." He sat up, folding his arms behind him to stretch before looking at the television once more. He then directed his attention to his boyfriend. "How long was I out?"

"Long enough for me to watch this movie about two full times," the raven haired boy answered, a grin now tugging at his facial features.

"Oh," Ponyboy groaned. "I'm so sorry, baby, I didn't mean to fall asleep." Johnny had already flicked the screen off, turning to face him fully. "You could've changed the movie, too, I hate that you felt like you had to watch it that much."

"I didn't mind watching it a few times." He shrugged his shoulders slowly, moving to brush the hair out of Ponyboy's eyes. "Plus, you needed your sleep. I didn't wanna wake you."

"You're the sweetest." The younger boy smiled, shifting to wrap his arms around his lover and pull him closer.

"Mhm, yes, I know." He replied teasingly, flowering kisses along his nose and cheek. Ponyboy let out a laugh — or a giggle, more like — and smiled wider.

"Hey," he looked around the house. There was no other sign of life; weren't Sodapop and Darry supposed to be home? "Where's everybody else? You'd think they'd be home by now."

"Soda and Steve came over again about an hour ago, but they said they had somethin' to go do. Darry's out back working on the porch." Ponyboy furrowed bis eyebrows.

"The porch? What's wrong with the porch?"

"I... don't actually know."

"Well, let's go see." He smiled once more, standing before extending his hand to the boy and pulling him up as well.

☪ ☪ ☪

Curly hadn't told Ponyboy about what the doctor said. Actually, he hadn't told anyone; not even Tim, who he was sure would be raging when he found out he kept it from him. Though in all honesty, his mind was still reeling from the information. He couldn't stop thinking about the what if's. What if Angela's ribs messed with her lungs? What if the doctors didn't tend to her quick enough? What if he lost his sister? What if things a l l went to shit?

Despite not having the greatest record, nor manners and decency, there was no doubt in his mind that his little sister deserved better than what life was giving her. Her boy toy was a new topic entirely; sure, he'd gotten along with Ponyboy. In fact, he'd even considered him a friend.

But upon the discovery of the boy's true feelings, he was still angry. He'd broken up with his sister while she had amnsesia, and then continued to come around and befriend her all over again. The whole thing just didn't seem right. Then again, he figured he didn't have room to talk about what was right or wrong.

Still, it bothered him. He sighed, grabbing a water bottle from the refrigerator before making his way towards his older brother's room. He had a girl over and would probably be furious about being disturbed, but Curly needed to tell him before he lost his nerve. Then, he'd have to tell Ponyboy and his brothers. Oh, golly — the situation just got more and more difficult as time went on, didn't it?

With a deep breath, he took a gulp of icy cold water before screwing on the cap and knocking hard on Tim's bedroom door.