Chapter Text
“Johnny?”
It was the middle of the night and Pony couldn’t sleep. He knew Johnny couldn’t either, with how he seemed to deliberately keep his arms at his sides. Johnny always cuddled Pony when he was sleeping, and they both knew that.
Johnny kept quiet while Pony waited for him to answer. When he didn’t, Pony tried again.
“Johnnycakes?” He whispered, and this time Johnny answered with a soft “hmm?”
“There’s… this person I like. Did I ever tell you about ‘em?” Pony asked softly. He almost seemed sad. Johnny’s stomach dropped as Pony said that, and he remained silent for a few moments before responding.
“No, you never did.”
“Oh, well. See, back when we were in Tulsa, I thought I may have a chance with ‘em. We talked a lot, and they really seemed to like me! But now, with the situation we’re in…”
“I can turn myself in, Ponyboy. We can go back! I wanna go back to Tulsa too.” Johnny said sullenly. He didn’t want to be a burden to Ponyboy or the gang, and he knew the fuzz were still questioning the gang over them.
Pony rolled onto his side and propped his head up with his arm. Johnny made sure to keep his back to him.
“Johnny, I already said we ain’t doin’ that. Let me complain without bein’ offered solutions.” Pony chuckled. “Now, ain’t you gonna ask about the person I like?” Pony said playfully, and Johnny smiled. Realizing Pony couldn’t see it, he rolled onto his back. Pony stared straight into his eyes, grinning, and Johnny felt his face grow red, guilt eating at his gut for feeling this way for Ponyboy when Pony was normal.
“What’s she like, Ponyboy?” He asked, and it was almost like he could feel his body ache when he spoke the word “she”. Pony’s smile faltered, and he spoke differently than before. Softer.
“She’s, well…actually, nevermind. We oughta get to sleep, yeah? Goodnight, Johnnycakes.” Pony said before turning back around, and Johnny was left staring at his back. He sat there for a few moments before wrapping his arm around Ponyboy, just like he would’ve any other night.
“I wanna know, Ponyboy.” He whispered, just in case Pony’d already fallen asleep or something. Pony’s breath hitched—but Johnny was sure he just imagined it—before he spoke again.
“She’s…He’s real nice.”