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Johnny laid back against the headboard, closing his eyes.
His fingers trembled as he lit the cigarette, moving it up to his lips. His parents were fighting again, yelling and screaming in the living room that he should be used to but it still hurt.
The sky outside was cloudy, rain coming down hard and relentless. Johnny let out a half sigh.
He could go to the Curtis’, sleep it off there, but he didn’t wanna bother pony. He could find Dally, but then again he was probably drunk.
Johnny fiddled with his cig, looking up at the ceiling. He needed to get out soon or else his father would come in and start hitting him.
The lot would work, he could hang out in a diner until it stopped raining and then go there. Yeah. Good plan.
Johnny got up to go pack a bag, putting out his cigarette on the ashtray by his bed.
He’d gotten halfway packed before his door swung open. He nearly jumped out of his skin.
In the doorway stood a drunken man, bottle in his hand and a near evil grin on his face.
Johnny felt his heart start to beat faster, he needed to get out. Maybe if he was quiet he wouldn’t see him.
“get over here you little shit-“
oh fuck.
Johnny’s chest tightened when he was grabbed around the wrist and his stomach sank to the floor. He was gonna be sick.
As his father led him down the hall to his room he started to panic. No tears were shed but he felt like he couldn’t breathe, like he was trapped.
No matter how hard johnny cried, his father didn’t stop. He left the house that night with a black eye and lashes all over his arms and back.
He stumbled out into the rain, coughing harshly when his mother slammed the door behind him. Now he was truly alone. No money, no idea where to go.
Johnny wandered for a while, looking for anywhere dry. His shoes were starting to give him blisters and his shirt stuck to his back.
After a little while he sat against a wall in an alley, the dingy bricks digging into his already sore back.
“shit,” Johnny hissed out, struggling to get comfortable. He would’ve gone to someone’s house but he didn’t want to be a bother. He was already too much of one at home.
Hours passed, his hands trembling as he fumbled with his now soaked jacket. Johnny Cade was alone.
It was dark out now, and he was still alone. Still stuck in between the horrors of home, and the comfort of safety.
That’s when he heard voices.
A blue mustang, filled to the brim with boys in Madras and Polo shirts.
The same one that had jumped him a month earlier.
Johnny felt sick for the second time that day and he began to try and get up.
These boys would want a round two, a rematch.
Johnny clambered over a nearby dumpster, trying to be silent. The boys hadn’t seen him yet. He let out a shuddering breath when the car finally drove away.
He got up, brushed himself off, and looked up at the sky.
Still raining.
Johnny started to make his way to Buck’s place. Dally was staying there so he could maybe sleep with him.
He and Dallas Winston had been dating for 4 months, it wasn’t very long but it was real. At least to johnny it was. Dallas was the only one who ever loved him, he couldn’t stand it if he was gone.
The walk to buck’s was quiet, it was still raining pretty hard but since it was evening he was almost alone on the streets.
The bruises ached now, the cuts stung on his back. Each breath sent pain through his rib cage.
His feet carried him up to the porch without much thought, it was only when he rang the doorbell that he realized he was there.
Buck answered.
“Hey johnny, looking for Dal?”
He’d been here enough times that Buck knew him well and knew what to expect.
Johnny gave a small nod and flinched when Buck started yelling upstairs for Dallas.
The older boy came down a minute or two later.
“Hey Johnnycake, man you’re soaked.” Dally laughed softly, helping Johnny sit down on the couch. Buck had already left, a little drunk and wobbly as he walked off, “what happened?”
Johnny just shook his head and leaned into Dally. He was too tired from all the walking and his throat was starting to hurt. He knew if he spoke he’d start crying.
“Alright kid, you can stay.” Dallas smiled, ruffling his hair, “you tired man?”
Johnny nodded this time.
“Ok, let’s get you some fresh clothes and then you can sleep,” Dally helped him stand and took johnny back to the room he was staying in.
He pulled out a dry shirt and boxers, “here kid, wear these.”
Johnny nodded again and took off his shirt, exposing the new wounds.
Dallas felt his heart sink.
He watched, almost frozen, as his lover struggled with his undershirt. The rough material scratching at the already sensitive skin. The smaller boy let out a pained whine.
Dally finally got his legs to move and took Johnnys hands, “Hey, woah, Johnnycake. Baby,” He sighed quietly and cupped the boys face, “you’re ok, you need help?”
Johnny’s eyes welled with tears and he took that as a yes.
“Ok my love, just, try and relax yeah?” Dallas bunched the shirt up and pulled it slowly over his head, making sure to avoid the cuts, “who did this baby?”
Johnny huffed and rubbed his eyes, “m’ dad.”
Dally nodded, examining the lashes. Most likely a belt, “shouldn’t need stitches, you gotta come over here next time yeah?”
Johnnys hands shook and he hummed, Dally noticed how he was crying and sat him on the bed.
“I don’t wanna do this anymore Dal,” He whined, wiping his eyes and trying to stay calm, “please, i don’t wanna do this..”
Dallas held johnny close, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and pulling him in, “I know it’s hard johnny, but you gotta keep going. It’s all gonna be ok..”
Johnny looked up, his small frame still trembling with cold and sobs, “what if it ain’t?”
“trust me baby, we’ll be just fine.”