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It was a rainy day with a slight chill in the streets of Tulsa. Kids were inside watching movies with their parents, and the Socs were probably partying in their fancy houses, but we’re not here to talk about them. Let's focus on the kids who don’t fit in with society; let's take a look at the greasers.
Dallas Winston was off with Tim Shepard, getting into fights and enjoying the rainy day—he hasn't had one in a while. Sodapop and Steve were at work at the DX, and Two-Bit was hanging out with them, looking for company. Darrell is also at work roofing houses, despite it pouring outside, making the roofing slick.
Then there were the two lover boys, the boys that were attached at the hip, the ones who had to hide themselves from society because of who they loved. Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade. They were currently cuddled up on the couch in the Curtis household watching a movie, Ponyboy with his sketchbook in hand drawing Johnny, and Johnny, resting his head on Ponyboy's shoulder.
Johnny was shivering from the cold, but after a few minutes he couldn't stand the cold, “Hey Pone, I'm gonna go grab a blanket.” pony looked at him and smiled “Yeah go ahead Jo, take as many as you want.”
Johnny pushed himself off the couch, feeling the chill of the room bite at his skin. As he made his way to the closet, he could hear the soft hum of the movie playing in the background combined with the noises of Pony’s pencil hitting the sketchbook. He grabbed a couple of blankets, one bright blue and the other a cozy, worn plaid, and headed back to the couch.
“Got a whole stack here!” he said, grinning as he plopped back down on the couch and draped the blankets over himself and Ponyboy. The warmth embraced them, and Johnny let out a content sigh.
Ponyboy looked up from his sketchbook, his pencil paused mid-stroke. “Perfect! Now I can actually draw you without my hand shaking from the cold.”
Johnny chuckled, tilting his head with curiosity in his eyes. “Is that what you’ve been drawing this whole time? Me?”
“Of course! You’re the most interesting thing in the room,” Ponyboy replied playfully, his cheeks flushing slightly. He turned the sketchbook to reveal a few quick sketches of Johnny, capturing his essence in soft lines and shadows.
“Wow, I look... pretty good,” Johnny smirked and laughed softly, pretending to be modest.
“You always do,” Ponyboy said with a wink and sincerity in his voice. He felt a warmth spread throughout him that had nothing to do with the blankets.
“Maybe I should return the favor,” Johnny suggested, reaching for the sketchbook. “Let me try drawing you.”
Ponyboy raised an eyebrow, amused. “You? Drawing? Now that’s a sight I’d love to see.”
“Hey, I can try! You don’t have to be such a jerk about it…” Johnny insisted, taking the pencil and flipping to a blank page. He sketched quickly, his lines messy but earnest. “Okay, hold still. No laughing.”
Ponyboy leaned back, trying to stay still, but he couldn’t help the smile creeping onto his face. “Heyy, I said no laughingg!” Johnny said while giggling a little
“I won’t laugh, promise.” Ponyboy gave Johnny a wink.
As Johnny concentrated, Ponyboy watched him, admiring the way he always stuck his tongue out while concentrating. “You know,” Ponyboy said, breaking the silence, “sometimes I wish we didn’t have to hide… We could just live like this. Just be ourselves.”
Johnny paused, the pencil hovering above the page, and spoke with a sigh, “Yeah, me too. But hey, at least we have this. our own little world while nobody is home.” He resumed drawing, capturing Ponyboy’s features with an innocence that made his heart flutter.
“True. I wouldn’t trade this for anything,” Ponyboy replied softly, his mouth forming a loving smile.
As Johnny finished, he turned the sketchbook around, revealing a simple but heartfelt drawing of Ponyboy, his eyes sparkling even on the page. “Not bad, right?”
Ponyboy’s breath caught in his throat. “Johnny, this is amazing! You captured me perfectly.” He reached out, brushing his fingers over the sketch.
“Just thought I’d give it a shot,” Johnny said, shrugging but clearly pleased with the reaction, considering the big smile on his face.
Ponyboy leaned in closer, their shoulders touching, a quiet moment stretching between them. “You know, one day, we’ll be able to do this without worrying. We can be ourselves, no hiding.”
“Yeah,” Johnny said, his voice filled with hope. “One day.”
They shared a smile, the warmth of the blankets and the connection between them making the world outside seem distant. For now, in their little bubble, they were just Ponyboy and Johnny—two lovers dreaming of a future where they could truly be free.
Ponyboy sighed contentedly, letting the rain's rhythm lull him. “Just think about it,” he continued, “maybe we could move somewhere new. Somewhere we don’t have to look over our shoulders.”
Johnny’s eyes sparkled with the idea. “Like California? I’ve heard it’s beautiful there.” He shifted closer, their legs brushing beneath the blanket, igniting a warmth that had nothing to do with the covers.
“Yeah,” Ponyboy smiled, “the beach, the sun… No fights, just… us.” The thought of a life beyond Tulsa felt like a dream, but in this moment, it felt like it could be achieved.
As another thunderclap echoed outside, Johnny jumped slightly, and Ponyboy chuckled but he rubbed Johnnys arm up and down. “See? Even the storm can’t break us apart.” He gently squeezed Johnny’s hand, grounding them both.
Johnny chuckled back, though a hint of concern flickered in his eyes. “What if… what if things don’t change? What if we’re stuck here forever?” His voice trembled slightly, revealing the weight of his worries.
Ponyboy leaned in, resting his forehead against Johnny’s. “Then we’ll make the best of it, together. No matter what. I won’t let anyone take you away from me.”
In that intimate moment, they both felt the truth of it. Whatever lay ahead, they’d face it side by side, even with the homophobia they faced. The rain drummed on the roof, a soothing backdrop to their quiet resolve, as they shared a soft kiss, sealing their promise against the storm outside.