Status: Edited

// Third Person Point Of View //

It was a school night that night but Johnny was at Ponyboy's at the moment, just talking with him. He knew that he had to go soon but he didn't want to, he knew what would happen if he did go back. If he didn't go back early enough, it would be far worse than what the original punishment would have been. Johnny looked up at the ceiling and signed, the sun was setting and he had to leave, he needed to before his parents became too drunk to even think. He tapped Ponyboy on the shoulder and turned to face him.

"Ponyboy, could you walk me home today," Johnny asked hopefully.

"Sure, I'll get a jacket and we can leave," Ponyboy replied getting out of bed and walking to his closet.

Johnny bent down and slipped on his shoes, standing up and putting his hands into his jean pockets. He grabbed my hand and walked out of his room and into the living room and told his brothers that he was walking me home. We walked out of the door and down his front steps, walking towards my house. Johnny was scared to go home, he knew that his parents were home. He hoped that Ponyboy wouldn't question how it looked from the outside. . .

If Ponyboy knew what happened at home with his parents, he'd leave Johnny for sure he thought. He didn't want that to happen at all, Ponyboy meant to much to him and didn't want him to leave. They walked up Johnny's front porch and turned to face each other. Ponyboy wrapped Johnny into a hug and pecked his cheek before pulling away. With one last wave, Ponyboy walked down the steps and down the driveway.

Johnny walked inside, instantly met with the smell of alcohol. He took of his glasses and put them in his back pocket. His father yelled at him but Johnny ignored him and walked to his room. He shut the door firmly behind him, laying on his stomach on the bed. The wallpaper was peeled a bit and the bed springs popped up in some places.

Johnny got nervous and stood up quickly, it didn't feel right being there at all. He opened his door and walked out, not bothering to close the door behind him. He walked down the hall ignoring his parents yelling and drunken laughter. He walked outside and ran down the sidewalk, Ponyboy wasn't too far away and was still on his way home. He crashed into Ponyboy and hugged him tightly and cried quietly, he didn't want to be home anymore.

"Johnny, are you alright," Ponyboy asked worriedly.

"I-i don't want to s-stay at home! C-can I stay with you p-please" Johnny pleaded, he was stressed out.

"Why don't you want to stay at home," Ponyboy asked.

"I-i-i just can't stay there. . .," Johnny cried.

"Hey it's okay my prince, you can stay with me," Ponyboy said sifting a hand through Johnny's hair.

They walked to Ponyboy's house quietly, Johnny gripped onto Ponyboy's shirt tightly. He didn't want to let go, he didn't want to go back to that house of his. They walked back I to Ponyboy's house quietly and Soda turned his head. He gave a questioning look at the crying boy but he payed Soda no attention. They walked to Ponyboy's room and Johnny put his glasses back on, laying on Ponyboy's​bed with him.

Ponyboy​ wrapped his arms around Johnny and brought him closer, nuzzling his head into Johnny's neck. Johnny wrapped his arms around Ponyboy's torso and closed his eyes, relieved to be where he was and not home. The younger boy rubbed Johnny's back, drawing lazy shapes. It was calming for both of them to wrapped up in each other's arms. They sun had already set by now, leaving the moon and stars to do they're job.

"Johnny, do you want to tell me why you don't want to stay home," Ponyboy asked softly, moving his head out of the crook of Johnny's neck.

"I can't tell you," Johnny replied quietly, opening his eyes to look at Ponyboy.

"Why not," the younger boy asked, a hint of sadness in his voice.

"You'll leave me once I tell you," Johnny stated looking into Ponyboy's eyes.

"I would never do that to you Johnny. I care too much about you," Ponyboy said hugging Johnny tighter.

"Alright. . . Do you really want to know," Johnny asked hesitantly.

"Yes, yes I do," he said calmly.

"O-okay. . . My parents, they uh b-beat me. . ."

It was silent for a few minutes, neither of the boys knew what to say to each other. Johnny was scared more than he already was and thought that Ponyboy would leave him for his parents actions. He knew that it was wrong to tell him, he knew that the reaction would be bad and he'd get kicked out and forced to go back home. He didn't want to go and stay with those drunk bastards, they'd hurt him again. The lot was always an option for Johnny though, no one ever stayed there.

"Oh baby, it's alright. I'm not going to leave you okay? Why would your parents do that to such a perfect child," Ponyboy asked softly.

"T-they're always drunk a-and yelling at each other. Then they started hitting me and it hasn't stopped since then," Johnny muttered, his face heating up slightly for being called perfect.

"Well Johnny your staying here. After school tomorrow we're going to get your clothes and your staying here. I'll tell Darry and Soda and you can say," Ponyboy said quietly.

"Y-you can't tell anyone about my parents. They'll hurt you too and I don't want that," Johnny stated.

"My brother's won't say anything if I tell them not to, I promise you that I won't let them. I just don't want you staying there anymore," Ponyboy said.

"A-alright. . ."

// Authors Note //

I finally got a chapter for this done. Sorry I didn't update, while I was at my friend's ​house I slipped because of my socks and fell down her stairs. I'm alright and everything by the way. I finally got the time and wrote this because I felt bad. I hop you all enjoyed this chapter. I'll see you all soon.

Till then,

~ Stay Gold