Work Text:
The sun had long dipped below the horizon, casting a shadow over the small, rundown house where Johnny Cade lived with his god awful parents— if you could even call them that. The night was thick with tension, and Johnny could feel the storm brewing inside the walls. His father had been drinking again, the telltale signs of slurred speech and unsteady movements echoing through the air.
Johnny tried to stay out of sight, retreating to his room, but it was only a matter of time before he was discovered. The door burst open, and his father stumbled in, anger flashing in his eyes. His father began to shout insult after insult, which seemed to hurt him more than what came next. In a blur, Johnny found himself on the floor, bruised and battered, blood dripping from his nose, his father’s rage pouring over him like a relentless tide.
When the storm finally passed, Johnny lay on the cold floor, the adrenaline was beginning to wear off and he could feel the throbbing sensation coming from every part of his body. After laying on the floor in silence, he finally mustered the strength to leave the house, stumbling into the night, unsure of where to even go.
Meanwhile, Dallas Winston was out and about, looking for trouble as he often did. He had a sixth sense for knowing when his friends were in distress, and tonight that instinct kicked in hard. It wasn’t long before he spotted Johnny’s familiar figure, hunched over and vulnerable, laying in the damn lot. Dally always hated seeing him curled up on that old car seat, looking so small and hopeless.
“Johnny!” Dally called out, rushing over. The sight of Johnny’s tear-streaked face and the bruises forming on his skin sent a rush of concern and anger through him, yet he wouldn’t admit that first part. “What happened, man?” He didn’t need to ask, he already knew what had happened.
Johnny looked up, shame flooding his features as he shook his head, unable to find the words to explain. Instead, he just buried his face in his hands, feeling the tears brim his eyes, despite having gone through this before, and even worse.
“Hey, hey, don’t do that,” Dally said gently and uncharacteristically, kneeling beside him. “It’s alright man, I’m here.”
With that, Dally slung an arm around Johnny, pulling him close. It was a small gesture of comfort, yet one Johnny desperately needed. He tried to fight it, to push Dally away, but the warmth enveloped him, and he found himself leaning into Dally’s embrace, allowing the tears to flow freely.
“I’m sorry,” Johnny choked out between sobs, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. “I’m such a burden…”
“Stop that,” Dally replied firmly, but softly. He always hated when Johnny talked that way, and hated even more that that’s what he thought. “You’re not a burden. You never were, and you never will be. We care about you John. I care about you.”
Johnny felt the truth in Dally’s words, but the shame still clung to him like a shadow. “But I can’t keep… I mean, it’s just…,” he stammered, feeling lost.
“Johnny,” Dally said, his voice steady. “It’s okay to feel. And it’s okay to cry. You don’t gotta be like me. I don’t want you to be like me. I want you to be real.” Dally never wanted Johnny to be tough like him, which is one of the reasons he always made a good attempt to keep him out of harm's way.
Johnny buried his face deeper into Dally’s shoulder, finding solace in the strength of his friend. Johnny almost never cried, and if he wasn’t so jumpy and small people would’ve assumed he was the toughest of the gang. But despite having broken down in front of the tough Dallas Winston, he left a weight being lifted off of his shoulder, even if it were only ever so slightly.
As the minutes passed, Dally simply sat with him in the vacant lot, letting him cry it out. Johnny's sobs began to subside, replaced by the quiet comfort of the moment. The silence seemed more comforting than it usually would for the both of them, as Dallas was always wild and reckless, and for little Johnny Cade, whenever it was silent, he would always have to cautiously wait for when it got loud.
Finally, Johnny pulled back, wiping his eyes and taking a shaky breath. “I didn’t mean to… I’m sor-” he started, but Dally interrupted him.
“Don’t you dare apologize for feeling, Johnny. You’re allowed to feel hurt. You’re allowed to lean on someone. That’s what I’m here for.” Dally said, his voice firm yet comforting.
Johnny nodded, the warmth of Dally’s words wrapping around him like a protective blanket. “Thanks, Dal, really, it means a lot.” Johnny spoke with genuine gratitude.
“Just remember, I’ve got your back. Always,” Dally reassured him as he gave him one of his signature wreckless grins. He shifted, pulling Johnny close again, and they settled into a comfortable position, their shoulders touching as they sat side by side in the lot.
In that moment, he knew he wasn’t alone. He had someone who cared, someone who would hold him up when he felt like he couldn’t stand. Johnny felt a sense of peace wash over him. It was a reminder that he’d always have someone to lean on.