𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑. ( 𝘫𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘯𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘺 )

EIGHT.

DECEMBER 10TH, 2018. (MONDAY)

Johnny's cheeks go red and he swallows thickly as Ponyboy's doors closed. He almost kissed his best friend and his brother walk in. That was so embarrassing for several reasons.

The younger boy coughs softly and clears his throat, looking down at his feet. He was just as embarrassed at the older teen. The boy then simply nods his head and looks back up.

"Let's go out there and eat, yeah," Ponyboy questions. "I want you to at least try and eat something. I won't say anything at the table but know I'm paying attention. If you need support or something, grab my hand or kick my foot."

Johnny nods his head in response before looking down, wanting the warmth on his cheeks to go down. He didn't want to walk out there blushing. The two boys stand there.

After a few minutes, Johnny's cheeks cool down and the tight feeling in his chest had subsided. He looks at Ponyboy before walking out of the bedroom. The 16-year-old boy takes a seat at the dining table, sitting there patiently.

Ponyboy follows him out and takes a seat next to him, glancing at both of his brothers. Darry paid no attention to it but Soda was looking at them, a small smile on his face. The 14-year-old blushes and looks down at the plate that had been set out for him. 

Darry takes a bite of the food before he looks at the two boys. He gives a small smile before swallowing. The 20-year-old hums.

"So, how was school today you two," Darry asks. He wasn't good at conversation but he tried.

"It was good," Ponyboy murmurs, taking a bite of his dinner. "Got a good grade on my English test. One of the highest in the class..." He gives a weak smile.

"I didn't go to school, " Johnny murmurs, pushing his food around on his plate. He hesitantly takes a bite and sits there, feeling his stomach lurch a bit.

Darry nods his head at that and sighs softly. He then smiles a little at Ponyboy and hums in response. The male takes another bite of his food.

"That's good, Ponyboy," Darry says. "Keep up the good work, okay?" The 20-year-old turns to Soda. "What about you, Pepsi? How was work?"

"It was really really fun," Soda says. "Steve ended up getting really mad at a car he was working on and he threw his wrench. He got so mad and it was really funny. But then we both went on break and he relaxed a bit. Stevie even shooed some girls away from me cause they were bothering me." Soda laughs softly and he smiles happily.

Darry chuckles softly at Soda's story as well as his hyper seeming tone. He loved seeing his brothers happy. That, in a way, meant he was doing a good job as their father figure.

"I'm glad you had a good day but make sure Steve ain't gonna hit anyone with his tools on accident," Darry says. "That would be really bad."

"He ain't gonna hurt anyone," Soda says. "At least not on purpose. Also, can I go spend the night with him? His dad is out of town and he said I could."

"As long as you're able to get to work on time, I don't mind," Darry says. "Finish up your dinner, pack your work clothes, and you can head out before it gets too dark."

Soda grins widely, nodding his head. He wasn't lying. Steve did say he could come over but because of what he walked in on with the two younger boys at the table, he was hoping to give them space. Besides, Johnny could use the bed.

"Thank you, Darry."

Darry smiles at Soda and nods his head. He felt happy that Soda was all smiles. It wasn't a rare sight but it felt nice to see him happy.

Ponyboy hums and continues to eat his food slowly, not wanting to leave Johnny at the table all by himself. He feels a kick to his foot and he turns his head a little.

Johnny looked almost sick and he felt like it to. The 16-year-old grabs a hold of his hand tightly under the table and takes a deep breath. Since his eating schedule was messed up from not being able to come over, he felt sick trying to eat.

Ponyboy squeezes his hand softly and looks at Johnny's plate, seeing he already ate about almost half of it. He nods his head at the older boy.

"May I be excused please," Johnny asks quietly. "I feel really full."

"Course, Johnnycake," Darry says. "Just take your plate to the kitchen and leave it on the counter." Johnny nods his head in response.

The 16-year-old stands up quickly, letting go of Ponyboy's hand. He grabs his plate and takes it into the kitchen. Ponyboy stands up as well, taking his plate and following him. He was almost completely done anyway.

Ponyboy looks at his friend as he sits his plate on the counter next to Johnny's. He slowly wraps his arms around his waist and hums, rubbing his back comforting. The boy could tell how much Johnny wasn't feeling well.

"You did good, okay," Ponyboy says. "You ate a lot and I'm proud of you. Now let's head back to my room. I gotta make sure you keep it down." Johnny nods his head in response.

The 14-year-old pulls away from Johnny and slowly leads him back to his bedroom. He goes to the closet and grabs some clothes. The boy didn't want Johnny sleeping in his dirty outfit.

"Here, you can change into these," Ponyboy says. "I'm gonna go stand in the hallway and you can close the door. For obvious reasons, I don't want you in the bathroom for now."

Johnny nods and he watches as Ponyboy leaves the room and closes the door behind him. He takes the clothes Ponyboy took out and changes into the quickly, placing his dirty clothes in the corner.

"Come in," Johnny says, an almost sick tone to his voice. His stomach wasn't agreeing with him since he ate so much (for him it was a lot).

Ponyboy opens the door and walks in, closing it behind him. He walks over and takes a seat next to Johnny on the bed. The younger teen looks at Johnny and gives a small smile.

"You did good, I promise," Ponyboy says.

"Thank you, Ponyboy," Johnny murmurs back softly.

Johnny leans his head on the younger boy's shoulder, curling up into him a little bit. He didn't feel good and he was starting to get drowsy. After a minute of staying like that in comfortable silence, the door opens.

"It's just me," Soda says. "I'm packing my stuff."

Soda walks in and grabs his old school bag, filling it with work clothes and his toothbrush. He looks at the two younger boys and smiles a little. The boy then notices Johnny's small, sick looking frame.

"Is he doing okay, Ponyboy," Soda questions softly. "He doesn't look too good. I can get him some medicine if he needs it before I leave." Ponyboy shakes his head in response.

"He's okay, Soda," Ponyboy responds. "He's just a little sick feeling at the moment. We're gonna head to bed so he can rest."

Soda nods his head slightly, continuing to look at the two. He knew that wasn't the truth but he wasn't going to press it any more than he probably already had.

"Alright, get some sleep," Soda says. "Especially since you got school tomorrow. Make sure he's warm and stuff, okay? I don't want him getting any worse."

Soda walks over and ruffles Ponyboy's hair softly before leaving. He shuts the door behind him. Ponyboy looks at Johnny who was still against his shoulder. The boy was asleep.

Ponyboy carefully lays back on the bed, bringing Johnny with him. He hesitantly wraps his arms around his waist from behind and holds him. The 14-year-old pulls the covers up over them and slowly closes his eyes.

He falls asleep like that, holding his best friend.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Word count: 1379

How was this?

Sorry, this took a little bit to update. Motivation wasn't hitting me and I have been busy being sick for a long time.

Thank you for reading and I hope you liked this chapter ♥