𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑. ( 𝘫𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘯𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘺 )

THIRTEEN.

DECEMBER 24TH, 2018. (MONDAY)

Ponyboy and Johnny lay curled up on the couch, content smiles on their faces. Darry and Soda went grocery shopping for tomorrow's dinner and the rest of the gang were just with their own family or friends. The younger male of the two runs his fingers through Johnny's hair.

"You excited for Christmas, Johnnycake?" Ponyboy questions him softly, smiling. 

"For once, yes I am," Johnny replies softly. "I get to be with my real family. I get to be with people who care about me."

Ponyboy smiles and presses a small kiss to the male's head, humming. He did care about Johnny an awful lot. It would be described as love, really.

"I'm excited to have you here," Ponyboy says. "Because we're gonna have a great time."

"What are we gonna do?" Johnny questions.

"Usually we eat breakfast with the entire gang, open presents, and just hang out together. There's a lot of Christmas specials on that we watch while we're trying out our gifts."

Johnny smiles softly in response. 

"That sounds wonderful," Johnny says softly.

Johnny tilts his head back and looks up at the pale teen, smiling sheepishly. It was one of the few times he was able to spend a holiday with Ponyboy and the rest of the gang. He was so excited to just be happy and content and safe.

Ponyboy leans down a little, carefully tilting his lover's head. The older teen blushes sheepishly, tilting his head a little to help out. He relaxes a little more when he felt soft lips press against his own. Johnny melts into the kiss, pressing back gently. 

They never got to kiss like this so it was nice when no one was around to look at them. The couple continues to kiss gently before pulling away, hearing the doorknob twist. Johnny pouts a little but rests his head on his lover's chest, resuming the position they were in while Darry and Soda left. 

"We're home!" Soda chirps happily, walking inside with a few grocery bags in each hand. 

Darry comes in after with the same, carefully shutting the door with his heel. He walks to the kitchen and smiles softly, humming. Soda drops the bags off in the kitchen before walking back out into the living room, looking at the two boys on the couch.

"Well, lookie here," Soda teases. "The cuddle duo is back. You guys used to do this all the time as kids. Cutest thing I ever did see."

Ponyboy blushes sheepishly, Johnny doing the same. The older male hides his face in Ponyboy's chest while Ponyboy hides in his lover's un-greased hair. They were easily flustered and embarrassed but neither minded it.

"Aweee," Soda teases again softly.

"Sodaaaa," Ponyboy whines. "Stoooop. We're just watching Christmas specials."

Soda turns his head to the tv, looking at the movie playing on tv. He smiles a little and chuckles, turning his head back towards the flustered couple. Johnny peeks his eyes out and looks at the blonde-haired teen.

"Everyone's gonna be here soon," Soda says. "Two-Bit is gonna be here tomorrow afternoon though. He's gonna be spending time with his mom and sister in the morning."

Ponyboy nods his head, humming softly. Johnny nods as well before curling himself back into the pale teen. Soda walks back into the kitchen to help Darry put away groceries. The younger teen wraps his arms around Johnny, holding his lover close. 

"Dinners gonna be soon," Ponyboy murmurs.

"Is it bad that I'm hungry?" Johnny questions sheepishly. 

Ponyboy perks up a little at that response.

"No!" Ponyboy exclaims cheerfully. "That's great, Johnnycake!"

"How is that great?" Johnny questions.

"That means you're making progress," Ponyboy tells him. "You're getting better and you're gaining your appetite back. Soon you'll be right where you're supposed to be."

Johnny grins widely at his lover's proud tone of voice. He was excited to see Ponyboy so happy over this. It made him want to do better when Ponyboy was proud of him. 

"I'll make sure to try and eat a little more at dinner," Johnny says. "Hopefully its stuff that'll help me get... More bigger?"

Ponyboy laughs softly. 

"Eating properly is just gonna add some muscle and fat onto you," Ponyboy says. "Good fat too. You'll feel a lot better once you get your weight up some more."

Johnny smiles softly and curls up to his lover more, humming. He looks up at Ponyboy, laughing sheepishly. The 16-year-old was excited to be the proper weight again and to feel like he wasn't going to drop dead at any moment.

"And you're gonna do so good," Ponyboy cooes teasingly. "I bet within a year, maybe two, you'll be back to your old self. I can't wait to see you smile and just be so happy."

"I'm gonna be happy for that because I know that you were there for me every single step of the way," Johnny says softly. "Every single day you push me to do so much better and eat like I'm supposed to."

Ponyboy glances around before pressing a small kiss to his forehead. Johnny blushes sheepishly and melts into his touch, smiling happily. He leans up and kisses the pale teen's cheek carefully before laying back on his chest.

"I care about you so much, Johnnycake," Ponyboy murmurs softly, turning his head to watch the Christmas special.

"I care you for so much too, Ponyboy," Johnny says softly in return, watching the tv show. 

Soda peeks his head out from the kitchen, smiling at the two lovers. He didn't know what was going on but he had a few ideas in his head. The blonde leans against the doorframe, humming softly.

"Dinner is gonna be ready in a little bit," Soda says, finally deciding to pipe up. "We're making chicken, fried rice, and vegetables. I think Darry said that. Does that sound good for tonight?"

Johnny nods his head, feeling his stomach growl. His mouth was starting to water as he finally caught a whiff of the cooking meal in the kitchen. He was excited to eat for once. Was that another sign of him getting better?

"Yeah, that's perfect, Soda," Ponyboy says, turning his head and giving his brother a small smile. 

"Alright, I'll call you for dinner in a bit."

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Word Count: 1058

How was this?

I've been on an update preparing roll. I've been using my free time at school to write updates. I've gotten three updates done in two days and I feel super proud of myself.

Thank you so much for reading 💞