Chapter Text
The day was like any other for the young man named Johnny Cade. He was out past dark at the lot again, sitting alone on the cold concrete. He pulled out a cigarette, holding it up to his mouth and lighting it before taking a drag. After a moment he let out a puff of smoke, watching as the pale cloud left his mouth. He let out a small grumble as he laid down, cringing a bit at the soreness he felt in his ribs. His father had left quite a bruise on the left side of his body. He didnt mind the bruises much anymore, he knew that kind of pain was temporary. But the other kind of pain he didnt know. All he every wanted growing up was his parents attention, for them to like him or something. Even now, at 16 years old getting treated like a punching bag he still longed for it. Johnny was just getting comfortable before the lights of a car lit up his view, making the boy jump up. The one thing good about being all jittery is that it made him good at running, and he was just about to do just that before he recognized the car.
As the tall man stepped out he knew he was in trouble. "You sleeping out here again, why not just stay the night with Ponyboy." The question was more a cold statement as it left the mouth of Dallas Winston. "Just don' wanna bother 'em, its not to bad once ya get use to it." Dallas scoffed at this, rolling his eyes. “You’re gonna get sick, and at the worst maybe even hypothermia if you keep staying’ out here at night.” Johnny just shrugged at this, focusing his brown eyes at his feet as he shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. He would admit it was actually pretty cold out that night but running from his parents place warmed him up not to notice it at first.
“Get in the damn car, there’s a movie showing tonight. I’ll get ahold of Darry and after the movie you can go over there.” As the words fell out of the older boys mouth Johnny just sunk into his jacket. He didn’t want to bother them again. It wasn’t their fault that his parents hated him, why should they have to care of him? As Johnny was drowning in his thoughts, Dallas walked back around and got into his car. He watched out of the window for a second before honking the horn, making Johnny jump a bit before giving in and walking towards the red car.
Dallas knew unlike Johnny that everyone in the gang loved him like a brother. He was the pet, but the thing was he was their pet, and with being the runt out of them he was the most protected. He wasn’t a bother like he thought he was, they all cared for him. But johnny didn’t understand the concept of caring, he never felt it before. All he ever felt like was a burden to his loved ones.
Before Johnny knew it they were at the drive in, the car ride was completely silent. Not one word was spoken after he got into the car. As Dallas parked Johnny broke free of that cage he called his mind and looked over at him. “You gotta cigarette?” He asked lowly, expecting a snarky reply after everything. But instead Dallas glanced at him before pulling one out and handing it over. Johnny gladly took it before taking out his lighter and lighting it. He took a drag before exhaling seconds later. “I’m going to go see if Darry or Sodapops here, don’t leave the damn car.” Dallas snapped as he got out, slamming the car door behind him. Johnny didn’t even flinch as he looked forward, listening to the older man without having to say anything.
Eventually he found himself staring out the window thinking about how easier life would be if he were better off. It wasn’t fair, he didn’t ask for this, it was just shoved onto him. He didn’t want to sound selfish but he kept thinking about how easier it would be just to start over again. Maybe he wouldn’t have shitty parents, maybe he would have a good income, maybe he would be happier. Oh what is he saying, it’s just a load a bull his mind came up with. His eyes flicked over as he heard the car door open, snapping him out of his gaze. He watched as Dallas sat down with a huff, clearly pissed off. “Didn’t find anyone huh.” Johnny mumbled out, flicking the last bit of ash off his cigarette before throwing it out. “Shut the fuck up Johnny. If you had just went over there in the first place we wouldn’t be here.” Dallas snapped as he lit his own cigarette, the cherry glowing bright red in the dark of night. Johnny didn’t say anything at the remark, opting to just stay quiet and look out the window. “I’m sorry you gotta look after me Dal, I would’ve been fine at the lot.” Dallas didn’t even look over at the other when he talked, rather he just sighed and shook his head. “No you wouldn’t, it’s suppose’ freeze soon. You could’ve died if I just left you out there.” The words weren’t as sharp as they were before, they held a full edge but they were softer. Dallas truly did car for the other boy, he just wasn’t the bet at showing it. He wasn’t the best at showing any emotion really other than his snarky attitude. Johnny let his shoulders relax some after the words from Dallas were heard. “I didn’t know it was supposed to freeze soon, I guess all that running warmed me up to not notice it much.” Johnny let out a soft laugh after he spoke, shrugging his shoulders. Dallas did the same, letting a small smile settle on his face. “Yeah probably man, and you can stay at mine for the night, at least you’ll be warm.” Johnny didn’t fight back, he just nodded and smiled a bit.
As the movie came to an end he watched as the screen flared up with a sunset, cheesy sure but it made him smile.
“Hey Dallas.”
“Yeah Johnny?”
“If anything ever happens to me, just look to the fire in the sky and I’ll be watching over ya. I’ll be watching over all of ya.”
Dallas didn’t say anything to this, just keeping his eyes trained on the other boy. The words were so random and out of the blue that Dallas didn’t know what to think of them for a second. “What do you mean by that John.” The words were no longer soft, they were back to their cold sharp state like earlier. Johnny just shook his head and smiled a bit. “Nothin’ serious, the streets are just tough for folks like me. I want to make sure you knew that before anything happens.” Johnny answered truthfully, keeping his eyes forward, he knows for sure that Dallas was looking at him. He could feel his gaze even if he couldn’t see it. It wasn’t unsettling to Johnny anymore, but it still put him somewhat on edge not like it use to though.
“You know, very well, that we wouldn’t let anything like that happen to ya Johnny.”