Status: Edited

Ponyboy's POV
"C-c'mon Johnny," I yanked him up from the ground.

"W-where're we gonna go Pony?"

"Y'know where Buck's is at, right?" He nodded.

"We're not goin' for Dally, are we?"

-

I knocked on the door. "What do you boys want?" Buck appeared in the dim red light.

"We're lookin' for D-dally," Johnny stuttered out.

"Dally?"

"Y-yea, Dally, Dalla-look just tell him we need to talk to him! Tell him it's Ponyboy and Johnny man, he'll come!" Johnny shouted through the screen door. "C'mon!"

After Buck left, Johnny turned to me and sighed. "You sure about this Pony?"

"Hey Johnny, man, what's wrong?" Dally came into view and opened the door, prompting us to enter. Before walking in, Johnny answered the question.

"Ponyboy and I need to run away,"

"Shoot kid, what happened?"

"W-well there's just too much g-goin' on all at once and he needs to get away from it."

"Um, alright, get inside," Dally pulled us into the bar and led us upstairs.

"So you said you need to hide away?" We both nodded. "A hide out?" We nodded again.

As Johnny and I both sat down on the bed of ruined sheets, Dally bent down.

"Hop on the three-fifteen freight to Windrexville ," He instructed and pulled out a cigarette, lighting its tip with a loud scrape. "there's an old abandoned church on top of Jay Mountain."

He paused and sinked the cigarette into his lips.

"W-what if..." Johnny began.

"What?" Dally turned to Johnny and exhaled the smoke.

"N-nevermind."

"Sure?" Dal asked as Johnny slightly
nodded and faced the ground.

"As soon as you get on, don't so much as stick your nose out, do I make myself clear?" Johnny and I nodded quickly.

"Alright," He pressed the cigarette in between his lips again. "Oh and one thing,"

"Y-yea?"

"Come back as soon as you can... Your older brothers'll kill me once they find out I gave you a hideaway."

I nodded. "Sure thing Dal." He gave a light grin and pulled away from the huddle of us three.

I stood up from the bed and headed for the staircase. "C'mon Johnny,"

Both followed me back downstairs. But before Johnny and I had even fled to the door, Dally tugged on my shoulder and pulled me to the side. "And kid, don't thank me just yet."

Dally then let me go. I stood there, slightly puzzled, slightly anxious.

My eyes grew wider, aware of what he might pick up on.

What does Dallas Winston know about me and Johnny? How could he be so sure?

"O-okay," I responded and walked out the door with Johnny beside me.

-

"I-it sure is c-cold in here," He stuttered and grew a small shiver. I hopped onto the train and placed my hands on his shoulders, warming him up with a quick rub. "T-that's nice..." Johnny mumbled.

I gave a soft smile until noticing Johnny broke out a staggered look on his face.

A small light appeared at the entrance of the cart. Johnny rapidly tugged on my shirt and pulled me back into the darkness of the train.

There was light chatter outside. "Anything?"

"Nothing." After the voices, it went quiet.

I sighed softly in relief, pulling out of Johnny's grasp.

Our noses touched.

I blushed deeply and gave my awkward laugh at our situation. "Johnny,"

He giggled. "I'm sorry Ponyboy," Johnny backed away, making me frown.

"I-it's alright, no need to apologize." I slid down the wall of the cart and laid at the bottom. Johnny did the same and scooted closer, laying his head on my shoulder. It was then and there that a cheery smile was cast on my face.

I felt Johnny tremble again, so I put an arm around his shoulder. "You cold Johnny?" he nodded. I brought him closer and gently rubbed his back.

"T-thank you P-ponyboy."

I closed my eyes and laid my head atop of Johnny's. "Welcome Johnnycake.."

Some time after, Johnny had his breathing kept at a faint level. The whole time, I was hearing his soft puffs of air repeat themselves. It was subtle, peaceful, until the train came to a stop.

"J-johnny," I shakily whispered.

"Yea Pone?" He looked up.

"The train stopped... We need to leave before they catch us," Just after speaking, Johnny leaped up from the floor of the cart and pulled my hand.

I got up as well and immediately jumped out of the train with Johnny's hand clasped to mine. Finally I ran with him to the hills.

We made it out alive.

"Hey," Johnny started.

"Yea?"

Johnny abstained from running and pulled me into a hug. I hugged back, not entirely sure what the embrace was for.

Though, I stayed quiet. I was actually coming by the opportunity for things like these. And it made me happy.

"Ponyboy?"

"Hm?" I replied.

"Had I not ran away with you, I think I'd see myself differently..."

"Why's that?"

"Because you matter so much to me," I blushed.

"Y-you mean that?"

"I do... With all my heart and everything I have."

Time stood still for me, the world seemed as if it was nothing but full of affection and pitter-pattering hearts that thumped heavily in every beat.

You'd know that Johnny was doing this. You'd know it's plain to already find me and my lonely heart seeking out Johnny's.

Go ahead, see me that way, I'm proud of it. I'm proud to be in love with Johnny. Some things are better than others anyway.

-

After the arrival to Windrexville, Johnny and I strolled up the hill and finally got a glimpse of the abandoned church.

Crickets chirped in the background as the silence lay still, and the wind blow a calm gush over us.

Everything was fine, but I realized I needed to break something with the church to get in. "Hm..."

"Just use your foot Pony," he said. "It'll work."

"O-okay," I kick harshly at the rusty wood and finally knock it down. "Let's go in."

Johnny's POV
The church was freezing, but this was the place I'd have to sleep with Ponyboy. Had I not ran away with him, I think I'd probably be scared outta my mind not knowing where he'd be off to.

Ponyboy is so important to me. And the only benefit of spending the night in this cold and petrified church is that he was here.

My fears still haunt me. Fears of him
never liking me back. Fears that he'll change if I choose to tell him about my obvious crush.

Though, Ponyboy seems alright with me holding his hand or being closer to him than usual.

"You gonna sleep for some time Johnny?"

"If you are then I will."

Pony giggled. "Hey Johnny?"

"Yea?"

"I love you."

How was this chapter?

❤️❤️❤️