𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑. ( 𝘫𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘯𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘺 )

TWENTY-SEVEN.

JANUARY 31ST, 2019. (THURSDAY)

Johnny takes a deep breath, looking at the police officer that was on Ponyboy's front doorstep. His heart was racing and he was beginning to get nervous. Although, he knew that he was going to be okay. Everything was over and it was fine.

"Jonathon Cade," the police officer starts out. "Since you're now in the care of Darrel Curtis, we have come to inspect the home. While we are doing that, you are advised to go gather some things from your old home. You may not get everything today but you're free to go back there until everything is taken."

The 16-year-old nods his head a little at the officer's words. He didn't want to go back to his old home but at least he was doing it without the fear of being harmed. No one was there to hurt him. He was completely and utterly safe. And if anything, Ponyboy was free to come along. At least he thought.

"Am I alright to bring my boyfriend?" The teen questions quietly. "I mean, so I can carry more of my things back here. It would be easier for me. If that's alright with you. I don't know what you want..."

"You can being him," he says. "Just be careful. The house is taped off and there's glass all over the floor. Although, you probably know how to navigate the home just fine. There's already a duffel bag or two sitting on the front porch for you at the home."

Johnny nods his head slightly, stepping away from the door. He wanders his way to Ponyboy's bedroom, opening it. The teen catches sight of his lover doing something for school. At least he could still focus on school with everything that's been happening.

"Ponyboy?" Johnny questions softly. "Do you... Do you want to come with me to get some stuff from my house? The officer said I could bring you. He's here to check over your house to make sure its a safe place for me to stay."

The younger teen looks up from his work and gives his lover a smile. He puts his pencil down and nods his head at the teen. The auburn-haired boy stands up and walks over to him, wrapping an arm around his waist. He presses a kiss to his cheek.

"Yeah, let's get going," Ponyboy says. "And I'm very sure that this place is suitable. After all, it was suitable enough for Darry to get my brother and I. You'll be fine. Don't worry. You've got a room with me anyway since Soda took back his old room."

The 16-year-old feels his cheeks warm at his lover's kiss, melting into his shorter frame. Ponyboy always knew what to say in order to make him feel much better. It was like he was gifted with a power. A great power. An ensuring power.

Johnny smiles a little and walks off with Ponyboy out of the house (after getting their shoes on, of course). They walk down the street, their hands intertwined. The couple was very happy, to say the least, and soon enough, they were going to be able to get their life back to normal.

At least as normal as it could possibly be. Ever since this whole trial started with Johnny's parents, he hadn't been able to focus on his weight like he should have been. Now, he could focus on that much more and finally get to where he needs to be. A healthy weight. And good grades in school.

It was all looking up for Johnny and that made him feel so proud of himself. He enjoyed being proud of himself and being proud of the family that he had now claimed for himself. Ponyboy was such a wonderful person and he knew well enough, just like the rest of the gang probably did, that the two were going to be together for a very long time.

Soon enough, the couple arrives at Johnny's house. At least his old house. They slip under the caution tape and grab a duffel bag each that was placed on the porch as the officer had already stated. And with that, they opened the door and went inside.

Johnny takes a deep breath as he stepped into the house. It still reeked of alcohol and there was indeed glass all over the floor. He was going to be so excited to get out of here with his things and never look back. This wasn't his house anymore. It wasn't his home. The Curtis house was indeed his house. And wherever Ponyboy went, that boy was his home.

"Shit, it's dirty," Ponyboy mutters underneath his breath, walking with Johnny to his bedroom. "What do we need to pack up in here?"

Johnny walks into his bedroom and hums.

"My clothes mainly," Johnny says. "I don't have much else. And we'll probably only need one duffel bag since there's not a lot. Maybe I can take some of my old board games."

Ponyboy smiles at his lover and opens the closet, starting to take clothes that he saw and put it into the bag. Johnny did the same and tried to search for some of his old keepsake items.

Soon enough, one of the duffel bags was filled up to the brim with the clothes that were jammed into it. And Johnny held an harmful of dust-covered board games from when he was a kid. Shoots and Ladders. Clue. Monopoly. The Game of Life. The last one was always his favorite to play.

Walking hand in hand, Johnny and Ponyboy walk back to the Curtis house. Right as they walked in, the officer seemed to have just finished inspecting the home. Johnny gives him a nervous smile and sits his board games down while Ponyboy takes the duffel bag to his bedroom.

"Jonathon Cade, it is clear to me that this house is indeed safe and well enough for you to stay," the officer says. "Have fun living in this wonderful environment and feel free to give us a call if you ever are to need anything. I'll see you soon."

Johnny breaks out into a wide grin.

He finally had a real house.

"Thank you, sir," Johnny says. "And I believe that I won't need to call you again. Not anytime soon."

The officer simply nods and walks out of the home, closing the door behind him.

It was all good again.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Word Count: 1,087

How was this?

I literally just wrote this in under 30 minutes and that makes me feel so proud of myself. I haven't been able to write much so continuing this story really makes me feel good.

I hope you guys enjoy this and thank you so much for reading ♥