𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓. ( 𝘫𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘯𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘺 )

t h r e e

It is finally dark in the house, everyone has just gone to bed and the plan starts. Although, Johnny is too terrified to move.

He doesn't want to get punished if he got caught and be certainly doesn't want the only person who was nice to him, to get hurt. But he wanted to know what it felt like to have a bed again...

Very slowly and quietly, Johnny stands up and makes his way out of the laundry room, up the stairs, and to the bedroom he knew was the younger boy's. Johnny turns the knob slowly and opens it just a crack, peeking in to make sure it was the right room.

It was all right because Ponyboy stands up from his bed and opens the door quietly, allowing the older boy to come in. Johnny smiles softly.

"Ready for bed," Ponyboy asks with a smile.

"Uh huh," Johnny says softly, nodding.

"Good."

Ponyboy walks over and gets under the covers, waving the older boy over. He shyly walks over and gets in the bed, feeling warm.

"Could you turn the lamp off, you happen to be closer," Ponyboy says.

"Course," Johnny says quietly.

The older boy leans over and turns the lamp off, the room going dark. Ponyboy shifts in the bed slightly and closes his eyes.

Johnny closes his eyes as well and nuzzles himself further into the blankets, the sense of comfort washing over him.

"Good night Ponyboy," Johnny murmurs tiredly.

"Good night Jonathon," Ponyboy mutters back.

"You can call me Johnny," the older boy says quietly.

The younger boy hums in response and slowly falls asleep, facing the wall. Johnny shifts under the bed covers and finally falls asleep, dreamless.

After a few hours, the older boy wakes up to hear sniffling. He turns over and see the outline of Ponyboy, shaking slightly.

"Ponyboy," Johnny asks in a slurred voice.

"Y-yeah," Ponyboy stutters out.

"What's the matter," Johnny asks.

"N-nightmare," the young boy says wiping the the tears from his eyes.

"Wanna talk about it," the older boy asks hesitantly.

"I-i can't remember it," Ponyboy murmurs. "I-i usually go to sleep in m-my brother's room b-but I don't want to l-leave you alone."

Johnny frowns slightly at the fact he was keeping Ponyboy from his brother's comfort. He thought for a minute.

"C'mere Ponyboy," Johnny says softly.

Ponyboy shifts closer to Johnny and hesitantly presses his head against his chest, sniffling. Johnny wraps his arm around him and rubs his back lightly.

"Try going back to sleep," Johnny says. "For me?"

"O-okay," the younger boy murmurs.

The older boy uses his burnt hand and pulls the covers up a little more, making sure Ponyboy was covered up. He closes his eyes after he senses that Ponyboy closed his own.

The two boys fall asleep quickly again and stay asleep until the next morning. Ponyboy wakes up first.

"Johnny wake up," Ponyboy whisper yells, shaking the older boy gently.

Johnny stirs and sits up carefully, looking around. He finally focuses on Ponyboy.

"Yeah," Johnny asks while rubbing his eyes.

"You have to get downstairs. Darry wakes up in about ten minutes and I don't want you in trouble," Ponyboy says.

"Thank you," Johnny says, getting out of bed.

"No trouble, now hurry," the younger boy says with a small smile, playfully waving the older one out.

Johnny laughs lightly and walks out, closing the door behind him, walking downstairs and back to his spot in the laundry room.

He sits there and waits for Darry to walk in and get him, making him cook food and do the laundry. After about ten minutes, Darry opens the door.

"Get up," Darry says.

Johnny does as he's told, holding his hands behind his back, not wanting him to see his bandaged hand. Darry hates when Johnny uses the first aid kit to tend to his own wounds.

He walks out, Johnny following behind him and has a small smile on his face. Johnny couldn't believe how nice it felt to wake up happy again.

"All right, you know what to do," Darry murmurs, his voice low. "Get food ready and start on laundry, also, dishes need done again and I need coffee."

Johnny's nearly non existent smile, fades off his face slowly and nods his head in response. Darry walks back to his room to get dressed.

"Yes sir..."

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How was this?

I kind of like the way this came out and i hope you do too. Also, happy birthday Johnny Cade, the boy who stayed gold 💛